Judge ends NFL lockout; owners to appeal

[Renew Deal]

Source: ESPN

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A federal judge on Monday ordered an end to the NFL lockout, giving the players an early victory in their fight with the owners over how to divide the $9 billion business.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said she was swayed by the players' argument that that the lockout, now in its second month, was causing irreparable harm to their careers.

The plaintiffs "have made a strong showing that allowing the League to continue their 'lockout' is presently inflicting, and will continue to inflict, irreparable harm upon them, particularly when weighed against the lack of any real injury that would be imposed on the NFL by issuing the preliminary injunction," Nelson wrote.

The NFL promised an immediate appeal.

"We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals," the league said. "We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal."
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Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6424084

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This is thought to benefit the players.

Video: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6427097

[GomezLives]

1. Millionaires fighting Billionaires

[Renew Deal]

2. Old and tired

[HankyDubs]

8. wrong

Labor fighting owners. NFL players make more money than I do, but that doesn't mean this isn't another classic owner vs labor dispute.

[GomezLives]

10. I agree that a good percentage blow every penny

[sudopod]

12. There are a number of factory workers who do the same thing.

I guess they don't deserve a fair share of the profits either. :3

[Yavin4]

11. They Don't Make More Than You Do

Only a very few do. The majority of NFL players make most of their money in a two or three year period, which stretched out over a lifetime comes out to be less than your salary.

Also, factor in the steep health care costs and pain that they endure as they age, and you see a classic example of labor being exploited by management.

[HankyDubs]

13. good point

As I said earlier...this is a classic labor vs ownership dispute. There should be no question as to which side we support here at DU.

[cleanhippie]

3. Great news! Now, lets make a deal and get raady for some FOOTBALL!!!

FFS, boys, all of you make more money than you can use. Cut a frikking deal and play!

[underpants]

4. The NFL never wins a court case

other than the age restriction case a few years ago. Al Davis has taken them for 10's of millions and they even lost ($4) to the USFL.


The NFLPA played them
In her ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said the decision by the players to disband their union meant the case no longer came under federal labor law that prohibits injunctions, as claimed by the owners.

Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and seven other players filed the lawsuit on behalf of other current and eligible NFL players against the league to halt the lockout, which could affect the start of the 2011-12 season scheduled for September 8.

[GomezLives]

9. They always hire Hamilton Burger

[muntrv]

5. The Green Bay Packers got it right in terms of ownership. The city is the owner.

[LiberalFighter]

6. Federal law prohibits injunctions in labor disputes?

I may be mistaken but I think there have been plenty of injunctions.

[jmowreader]

7. It's actually an interstate commerce case

but they left that part out.

It affects, just off the top of my head...

millions of stores nationwide that sell licensed NFL items, and wouldn't sell any if there wasn't any football

every newspaper in America--single-copy sales increase on days after football games so people can read the scores

the owners (that means you, if you're in a state that hosts an NFL team) of every stadium in America

the advertising business

stores that sell big TVs that guys buy mainly because football with your buddies looks better on a 60-inch screen

If it was just the 6400 people who work for the teams (assuming 200 people work for each team in all labor categories) it would be one thing, but the NFL is a good-size driver of our economy.

[IScreamSundays]

14. So many haters around here, makes me sick

good for the players and good for the fans!