Running NFL Preseason Thread

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

It's March 12. Seeing as the two sides managed to resolve several big issues in two weeks of mediation (rookie wage scale in, 18-game schedule out), they have more than enough time to get past the ego-driven stage of combat and reach a means of divvying up the swag acceptable to both sides. It's not like the union WANTS to go out of business.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

I'm openly dumb when it comes to legal matters, so here's my question.

The union decertifies. Got it. Dissolved. The owners locked out the players. Got it. Can't play. Players file antitrust lawsuit because they're locked out and can't play under those contracts and rules.

Why don't the owners not lock out the players and force them to play under those contracts, rather than face the obviously player-friendly judge?

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

Three Bags, the legal argument is that the contracts are illegal on their face as antitrust violations. It's like people who sign contracts for fraudulent home improvement deals. Just because they signed doesn't remove their rights.
Besides, the owners are the ones who're objecting to the status quo. Reinstating it would allow the players to return with nothing lost. They'd jump at an offer to continue under current contracts.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

From the FAQ: "In simplest terms, by decertifying, players hope to keep professional football in business under terms they like."

It seems there's a link between decertification and the bargaining process, especially with your statement that the union will reform once players are back on the practice field. If there wasn't a link, why didn't the players decertify several months ago instead of waiting until the last minute.

I don't think it's a slam dunk for the players in court. The MLS single-entity system was upheld in court

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

Stitch, the thing is, the NFL single entity defense has lost in court. Twice. So while it COULD win, it's battling uphill. The owners' best weapon is the time the law takes, as the players are understandably more impatient for a resolution than are the owners.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

NFL cannot schedule 18 game season, players are contracted for 16.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

If they really de-certify, does the head of the Union lose his job or does he still draw a paycheck? Did the union divide the remaining cash on hand up among the players? Is everyone employed by the NFLPA out of a job?

This decertification is a fiction.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

Those are great questions. I would also wonder now that union is decertified could a new union be formed with majority player consent that would negotiate with the NFL.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

The answer to that last question is yes, Boom, but the new union would have to win an election supervised by the NLRB, etc.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

NFL operated w/o a CBA for a while and managed to lose almost every court case. Eventually, owners decided they did not want to keep losing. Players can challenge in court any and all labor restrictions (franchise tags, draft, restricted tenders).

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

If the players did not decertify the union before the lockout, then they had to wait six months to go to court.

To answer your question about why they waited, I assume they wanted to finish the season and give negotiations a try. Also, technically they did not wait until the last minute; the CBA was extended twice.

 

Re: Running NFL Offseason Thread

Will be interesting to see how Brady, Manning and crew are paying for their lawsuit. Surely it's not out of pocket.

If the now defunct NFL players union is funding lawsuit on their behalf would the money be considered taxable to the players.