In advance of Wednesday’s scheduled court date, where the players have charged NFL owners with antitrust violations, you’d think the league would be interested in going back to the bargaining table.
They have, in fact, made public pleas for the players to return to negotiations.
Well, that was obviously all bullshit.
John Clayton reports the players offered to meet with the owners last week and the owners refused.
Lawyers for the owners refuse to meet with the settlement attorneys for the players unless the trade association identifies itself as a union, which the players won’t do at this time. The players, according to multiple sources, planned to meet with the owners March 28 and spend the week settling this mess. All that had to be done was have a short document go to federal judge Susan Nelson’s court saying that the NFLPA’s executive board would serve as advisors. The NFL’s answer was no. This will be the only way a deal can be reached.
The main point of contention here seems to be that the players decertified their union, which they did in order to file the antitrust case.
Still, it’s a shame the owners wouldn’t even reopen discussions and another sign we’re probably in for a long offseason of this crap.