Another full week of negotiations between the players and the NFL owners wrapped up today in NYC. While the parties are breaking from face to face meetings it’s likely talks will continue and both sides are reportedly reconvening again, in person, on Monday.
Earlier today the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling regarding the lockout. As the Appeals Court promised at the end of oral arguments in June, their decision isn’t one that either side is likely to be happy about. The court held that the lockout of the players was legal as it related to players currently under contract. However, it remanded to the District Court for further hearings the issue of the legality of the lockout as it relates to free agents and rookies. Judge Nelson, who initially enjoined the lockout, will set a briefing schedule and preside over those hearings.
More importantly the decision left the league exposed to violations of antitrust laws. That means the owners could still potentially face a lawsuit of $12 billion or more if the 2011 season is lost.
That said both sides are expressing their commitment to pursue a negoitated settlement of the issues between them and issued a joint statement to that effect this afternoon.
