Score One for NFL Players With Judge's Call

A federal judge today sided with NFL players in their fight with pro-football owners, as he demanded that the league lift a lockout that had been imposed on March 11 and usher in new work rules.

But don't expect things to return to normal (or whatever passes for that in the National Football League these days). It's likely that owners will appeal the decision by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who sits on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Nelson did not stay her decision, thereby putting the onus on team owners to act.

Here's how the New York Times describes what could happen:

If the stay is not granted, the NFL will have to put rules in place allowing players to return to work and free agency to open within days, creating a flurry of activity similar to the normal operations of an off-season. Teams will be allowed to hold workouts with players, and players will be permitted to meet with trainers to rehabilitate injuries and coaches to study game film.

If a stay is granted, the NFL will remain dormant, most likely for at least another month, while owners appeal Nelson’s injunction decision to the Eighth Circuit.

The league, in a statement, said it would keep fighting. "We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals," the NFL announced in a statement. "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."

For continuing coverage of the NFL labor situation, click here for coverage from the Sports Business Journal and here for coverage from Sporting News. Both are corporate partners of Portfolio.com.

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