UPDATE!
10 more things you should know about the CBA right now...
1. April 6 looms large.
On March 11, the NFLPA decertified, and the NFL responded by locking out the players. Decertification included a lawsuit aimed at blocking the lockout, specifically with a request that the court lift the lockout now, while the lawsuit unfolds. The hearing will happen on April 6, in a Minnesota federal court. At some point after the hearing ends, Judge Susan Nelson will issue a ruling. The party that loses will file an emergency appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and possibly to the U.S. Supreme Court. At some point, likely before June 1, the process will be finalized. If the players win, the lockout will end. If the league wins, the lockout will continue. Though it’s in the fans’ interests for the players’ position to prevail, a far better outcome would be a negotiated compromise that lays the foundation for a return to long-term labor peace.
2. League apparently doesn’t want to negotiate
(Gee, there's a shocker...)
3. The core of the problem.
The parties disagree primarily regarding revenue. The heart of the revenue debate arises from the fact that the players have been receiving roughly 50 cents of every dollar that goes through the cash register — and that the owners have decided that, as the dollars reach ten billion annually,
the rent is too damn high.
Recently, we
offered some suggestions for bridging the gap. Regardless of whether the parties use one or more (or none) of our ideas, the goal will be to find a way to make both sides happy.
Or, at a minimum, equally unhappy.
4. The role of NFL Alumni.
(really isn't important right now)
5. The lawyers take over.
6-10 to be continued in next post...