Lockout Lifted, Football Operations Can Resume

April 28th, 2011

TO: NFL PLAYERS AND AGENTS

FROM: JAMES QUINN & JEFFREY KESSLER (CLASS COUNSEL)

CC: DEMAURICE SMITH, NFLPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, NFLPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RE: ORDER DENYING STAY

Last night, Judge Nelson issued a 20 page decision denying the NFL’s request to stay (delay) the injunction she issued on Monday in the Brady v. NFL litigation that the NFL must stop the lockout. The decision denying the stay is once again very strong, and rejected all of the NFL’s arguments. Accordingly, the order ending the lockout is in full, immediate force.

The NFL has filed for an emergency stay with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, while the Eighth Circuit considers the NFL’s stay request. Unless and until such a request is granted, however, we believe the 2011 League Year now has to begin; the Clubs must open their facilities to allow players to work out, meet with coaches and otherwise perform their jobs; and the NFL and the Clubs cannot collectively continue to refuse to deal with players. It is our view that the NFL and the Clubs will be in contempt of court if they do not comply with the order unless and until they hear differently from the Eighth Circuit. We will let you know later today what the NFL is going to do to comply with this order, and what the specific schedule will be going forward.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 28th, 2011 at 10:38 am and is filed under Lockout News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Lockout Lifted, Football Operations Can Resume”

Oakland Easy Says:
April 28th, 2011 at 11:34 am
I’ll tell you what the NFL is going to do to comply with this order.

Roll over on their stomach and take it like a champ.

Score one for the good guys.

e.z.
BILL IRWIN Says:
April 28th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
This is great as a long time fan of the NFL its about time to get this back to the game we love, thanks to the judge we can look foward to 2011 season for now, good luck players and stand your ground Mr,SmithGO-LIONS
Jack Carter Says:
April 29th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
You guys are doing a great job of making the owners understand that punishing their employees isn’t the way to advance their agenda. Way to go with Judge Nelson and I wish you continued success as we go forward. My son plays in the league and, like you, just wants whats fair. Nothing more. Nothing less. Congrats again!