JUDGE NELSON OVERRULES THE LOCKOUT, WHAT NOW?
Earlier this evening, Federal Judge Susan Nelson handed down an 89-page ruling in the case brought by the NFL players to essentially overrule the league's lockout strategy. So what does that mean you ask? I was asking the same question about 6 hours ago & I've been able to find a few facts that will make our comprehension of legal lingo much simpler.
1. The league will immediately file an appeal to Judge Nelson's ruling. It will be heard by three judges & since it only takes two for a majority, it will probably be granted. If they are able to obtain a stay from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, everything will go back to where we were before Judge Nelson's decision. This should come quickly, likely within 48-hours.
2. If the league loses the appeal, the 2011 NFL season begins immediately. Free agency will commence, trading players can occur, just in time for the draft & players will get paid while they wait out the anti-trust case which could last years. The signing of undrafted players would also have to be permitted by the league.
3. If the stay is won by the league, which is likely, very little will happen until all 15 judges in the 8th Circuit Court of appeals hear the case. I'm certainly no legal scholar, but it seems as tho Judge Nelson ruled not in favor of the players, but in favor of the fans. She writes in her decision:
"As professional football involves many layers of tangible economic impact, ranging from broadcast revenues down to concessions sales. And, of course, the public interest represented by the fans of professional football who have a strong investment in the 2011 season is an intangible interest that weighs against the lockout. In short, this particular employment dispute is far from a purely private argument over compensation.”
Finally someone acknowledges us, the fans of professional football. You know the fans who pay the freight. I'm still in favor of a 1-year boycott of all NFL licensed products, let them know we're unhappy being patronized, hurt both sides a little. We'll know more on Tuesday, but we could be closer to having our football league back.
1. The league will immediately file an appeal to Judge Nelson's ruling. It will be heard by three judges & since it only takes two for a majority, it will probably be granted. If they are able to obtain a stay from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, everything will go back to where we were before Judge Nelson's decision. This should come quickly, likely within 48-hours.
2. If the league loses the appeal, the 2011 NFL season begins immediately. Free agency will commence, trading players can occur, just in time for the draft & players will get paid while they wait out the anti-trust case which could last years. The signing of undrafted players would also have to be permitted by the league.
3. If the stay is won by the league, which is likely, very little will happen until all 15 judges in the 8th Circuit Court of appeals hear the case. I'm certainly no legal scholar, but it seems as tho Judge Nelson ruled not in favor of the players, but in favor of the fans. She writes in her decision:
"As professional football involves many layers of tangible economic impact, ranging from broadcast revenues down to concessions sales. And, of course, the public interest represented by the fans of professional football who have a strong investment in the 2011 season is an intangible interest that weighs against the lockout. In short, this particular employment dispute is far from a purely private argument over compensation.”
Finally someone acknowledges us, the fans of professional football. You know the fans who pay the freight. I'm still in favor of a 1-year boycott of all NFL licensed products, let them know we're unhappy being patronized, hurt both sides a little. We'll know more on Tuesday, but we could be closer to having our football league back.
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