Judge Susan Nelson issued a preliminary injunction on Monday that blocks the lockout of players from NFL facilities. The NFL immediately responded with the statement:
"We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal," the NFL statement reads.
The NFL imposed a lockout of players on March 11, after collective bargaining talks between the NFL and its players union broke off. The union then decertified and filed an antitrust suit against the NFL in the Eighth Circuit Court in Minneapolis.
It is the NFL's wish that the two sides resume collective bargaining negotiations with the assistance of the Federal Mediation Service.
For additional details, go to nfl.com.
