Lawtalkers and NFL fans: to this thread!

[Scipio]

Bring back Tagliabue.

[jimmy olsen]

Bring back Tagliabue.

I can just imagine CdM's reaction to that! 

[dps]

Bring back zombie Rozelle!

Decertification would allow the players to act as a trade organization instead of a union, which would allow a lawsuit if the owners lock them out next March. The league would then likely countersue and claim that the decertification is simply a move to gain entry to the antitrust laws the union does not currently enjoy.

Well, the NFL is right, aren't they?  The whole thing is a ploy and they'll recertify as soon as the lawsuits run their course, just like they did before.

Of course it's a ploy.  Whether or not the courts see it that way depends on whether the judges hearing the case are pro-labor or not.

[sbr]

Bring back zombie Rozelle!

Decertification would allow the players to act as a trade organization instead of a union, which would allow a lawsuit if the owners lock them out next March. The league would then likely countersue and claim that the decertification is simply a move to gain entry to the antitrust laws the union does not currently enjoy.

Well, the NFL is right, aren't they?  The whole thing is a ploy and they'll recertify as soon as the lawsuits run their course, just like they did before.

Of course it's a ploy.  Whether or not the courts see it that way depends on whether the judges hearing the case are pro-labor or not.

The players' cases will be heard by David Doty, who is very, very friendly to the NFL players, not sure if the owners' case would go to him as well.

[ulmont]

Decertification would allow the players to act as a trade organization instead of a union, which would allow a lawsuit if the owners lock them out next March. The league would then likely countersue and claim that the decertification is simply a move to gain entry to the antitrust laws the union does not currently enjoy.

Well, the NFL is right, aren't they?  The whole thing is a ploy and they'll recertify as soon as the lawsuits run their course, just like they did before.

Of course it's a ploy.  Whether or not the courts see it that way depends on whether the judges hearing the case are pro-labor or not.

The complaint alleges that as part of a prior settlement with the NFL, the NFL agreed not to contest any decertifications as pretextual.  Whether or not that will hold up in this case, who knows.

[katmai]

Bring back zombie Rozelle!

Decertification would allow the players to act as a trade organization instead of a union, which would allow a lawsuit if the owners lock them out next March. The league would then likely countersue and claim that the decertification is simply a move to gain entry to the antitrust laws the union does not currently enjoy.

Well, the NFL is right, aren't they?  The whole thing is a ploy and they'll recertify as soon as the lawsuits run their course, just like they did before.

Of course it's a ploy.  Whether or not the courts see it that way depends on whether the judges hearing the case are pro-labor or not.

The players' cases will be heard by David Doty, who is very, very friendly to the NFL players, not sure if the owners' case would go to him as well.

Actually it's not, been handed to a different judge.

[sbr]

Bring back zombie Rozelle!

Decertification would allow the players to act as a trade organization instead of a union, which would allow a lawsuit if the owners lock them out next March. The league would then likely countersue and claim that the decertification is simply a move to gain entry to the antitrust laws the union does not currently enjoy.

Well, the NFL is right, aren't they?  The whole thing is a ploy and they'll recertify as soon as the lawsuits run their course, just like they did before.

Of course it's a ploy.  Whether or not the courts see it that way depends on whether the judges hearing the case are pro-labor or not.

The players' cases will be heard by David Doty, who is very, very friendly to the NFL players, not sure if the owners' case would go to him as well.

Actually it's not, been handed to a different judge.

OK, I figured if the owners had any say in where the case was heard it would be a different judge, but wasn't sure.

[CountDeMoney]

The short story is: there's 9 billion a year to split up.  The owners want 1 billion more for their share, and they want it subtracted from the players.

It's tough to find any sympathy for parties arguing over 9 billion, but when 1 party wants to subtract a billion from the other party to add to their own, meh...I'm slightly favoring the players in this one.

[sbr]

The short story is: there's 9 billion a year to split up.  The owners want 1 billion more for their share, and they want it subtracted from the players.

It's tough to find any sympathy for parties arguing over 9 billion, but when 1 party wants to subtract a billion from the other party to add to their own, meh...I'm slightly favoring the players in this one.

I agree.  I haven't been following this that closely but everything I have seen makes the owners look horrible. 

[Kleves]

A strong player's union would be bad for the sport (see: baseball, which I have lost almost all interest in, at this point), so I have to back the owners.

[CountDeMoney]

A strong player's union would be bad for the sport (see: baseball, which I have lost almost all interest in, at this point), so I have to back the owners.

Baseball's problem isn't a strong player's union, but an owner-centric commissioner's office.

[Neil]

A strong player's union would be bad for the sport (see: baseball, which I have lost almost all interest in, at this point), so I have to back the owners.

Baseball's problem isn't a strong player's union, but an owner-centric commissioner's office.

Baseball's problem is a dull sport where all the drama has to be chemically-induced.

[CountDeMoney]

Zbikowski scores TKO on first-round body blow
Ravens safety is now 2-0 as pro boxer, plans to fight later this month in Atlantic City

By Lance Pugmire, Tribune Newspapers

9:58 AM EDT, March 13, 2011
Las Vegas —

Football's loss may be boxing's gain.

With the NFL in labor limbo, Ravens safety Tommy Zbikowski returned to pro boxing Saturday and produced a first-round technical knockout over less-fit opponent Richard Bryant.

The 25-year-old Zbikowski pounded a left hook to the 235-pound Bryant's belly, and the big man lost his breath and slumped to the canvas. Bryant was so out of wind referee Russell Mora stopped the fight at the 1:45 mark of the first.

"I knew I hurt him," the 193-pound Zbikowski said. "I love that I got a body shot for a knockout."

Zbikowski was able to strike a $10,000 deal to fight Bryant with bout promoter Top Rank as the Ravens' restricted free agent awaits signing a tender with the team.

Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said he projects another Zbikowski event March 26 in Atlantic City, and also in late April in a casino-resort outside Dallas.

He hadn't fought since his 2006 pro boxing debut as a Notre Dame player and admitted, "I was a little rusty ... he was a tough dude."

Bryant (1-3), who clearly expected some punishment by entering the MGM Grand Garden Arena to Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" called the decisive body shot "tremendous."

The charismatic Zbikowski now has an open schedule with the NFL's labor strife and was visibly excited about spending the time away from football in boxing, a sport he's called his "first love."

"I just want to keep it rolling as much as we can," he said.

[sbr]

I really hope Chad Ochocinco takes him up on his offer to fight.  I would love to see Zbikowski tear Chad a new one.

[JacobL]

My understanding was the owners want 2 bill off the top and then the players get 60% of what is left.  So in 3-5 years depending on growth the players would be right back to getting at least 50% of the money, right now it was 1 bill off the top and players get 60%. **roughly as it depends on how each team spends their cap room**