The NFL Players Association decertified as a union Friday, removing it as the official bargaining unit of the players. The NFL is challenging the decertification with the National Labor Relations Board on the basis that the decertification is a sham, and that the NFLPA will continue to operate as a de facto union. A hearing could be held next week.
- The union followed up its move to decertify by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Osi Umenyiora among the nine named plaintiffs in U. S. District Court in Minneapolis. Two Minnesota Vikings are named as plaintiffs for jurisdictional purposes. Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, entered in this year's draft, is also named.
- The collective bargaining agreement expired at 11:59 Friday night. The union has already filed a request for an injunction to block a possible lockout, should the owners make that move.
- If the injunction is granted by U.S. District Court Judge David Doty in Minneapolis, the league will appeal. During the period the injunction is in effect, the league year is expected to start, and free agency is expected to begin with the 2010 rules in place: no salary cap and unrestricted free agency after six years, instead of four.
Doty could ask the union to withdraw its decertification papers until he hears arguments from both sides on the lockout issue. The sides could bargain again during the time it takes to prepare for the hearing. The expired CBA would be in effect during that time. Of course, if Judge Doty rules that the lockout is legal and the sides haven't reached an agreement in the interim, then no football until it's resolved.
IN THE EVENT OF A LOCKOUT
- The record 495 players (25% of the league) scheduled to be unrestricted free agents - for many the only time in their career they will really cash in - will be in limbo. During a lockout, no business between players and clubs can be conducted. No players can be signed or released.
- Offseason programs, which usually start later this month, will be canceled. Same with minicamps and Organized Team Activities. The eight new head coaches, who need to implement their new programs, won't have players to coach. There can be no contact between players and coaches.
- The NFL will stop paying the premiums on players' health insurance policies. This does not mean the players will be without insurance. They can continue their coverage through COBRA and pay the premiums themselves, estimated anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per month.
- Injured players can't use the team facilities for rehabilitation.
Here is what the NFL has said it will lose in revenue in a lockout: $120 million in March, the cumulative figure grows to $350 million in August and $1 billion if the lockout ends right before the season. Then it's another $400 million per week in lost revenue once the regular season starts.
- The NFL draft is protected through this year by the recently expired collective bargaining agreement. It will be held April 28-30 at Radio City Music Hall. Teams may not trade players for other players or for draft picks during the draft. The only permissible trades are picks for picks. The draft picks can't sign or work out at the team facilities during a lockout. If the lockout goes deep into the summer, that will hinder their ability to make a contribution in their rookie year.
- As soon as the draft is over, there is traditionally a scramble to sign undrafted rookies, which is not permissible during a lockout.
- The union followed up its move to decertify by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Osi Umenyiora among the nine named plaintiffs in U. S. District Court in Minneapolis. Two Minnesota Vikings are named as plaintiffs for jurisdictional purposes. Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, entered in this year's draft, is also named.
- The collective bargaining agreement expired at 11:59 Friday night. The union has already filed a request for an injunction to block a possible lockout, should the owners make that move.
- If the injunction is granted by U.S. District Court Judge David Doty in Minneapolis, the league will appeal. During the period the injunction is in effect, the league year is expected to start, and free agency is expected to begin with the 2010 rules in place: no salary cap and unrestricted free agency after six years, instead of four.
Doty could ask the union to withdraw its decertification papers until he hears arguments from both sides on the lockout issue. The sides could bargain again during the time it takes to prepare for the hearing. The expired CBA would be in effect during that time. Of course, if Judge Doty rules that the lockout is legal and the sides haven't reached an agreement in the interim, then no football until it's resolved.
IN THE EVENT OF A LOCKOUT
- The record 495 players (25% of the league) scheduled to be unrestricted free agents - for many the only time in their career they will really cash in - will be in limbo. During a lockout, no business between players and clubs can be conducted. No players can be signed or released.
- Offseason programs, which usually start later this month, will be canceled. Same with minicamps and Organized Team Activities. The eight new head coaches, who need to implement their new programs, won't have players to coach. There can be no contact between players and coaches.
- The NFL will stop paying the premiums on players' health insurance policies. This does not mean the players will be without insurance. They can continue their coverage through COBRA and pay the premiums themselves, estimated anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per month.
- Injured players can't use the team facilities for rehabilitation.
Here is what the NFL has said it will lose in revenue in a lockout: $120 million in March, the cumulative figure grows to $350 million in August and $1 billion if the lockout ends right before the season. Then it's another $400 million per week in lost revenue once the regular season starts.
- The NFL draft is protected through this year by the recently expired collective bargaining agreement. It will be held April 28-30 at Radio City Music Hall. Teams may not trade players for other players or for draft picks during the draft. The only permissible trades are picks for picks. The draft picks can't sign or work out at the team facilities during a lockout. If the lockout goes deep into the summer, that will hinder their ability to make a contribution in their rookie year.
- As soon as the draft is over, there is traditionally a scramble to sign undrafted rookies, which is not permissible during a lockout.
