NFL Players Want a Lockout? NFL Lawyer thinks so.

[Anybodyhome]

http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2011/01/nfl-attorney-players-union-wants-a-lockout.html?referrer=emaillink

The NFL's outside labor attorney said Wednesday he believes the leaders of the NFL Players Association want team owners to lock out players when the sport's labor contract expires in March.

Bob Batterman, a New York-based lawyer for the league, said he thinks the union's leadership is focused on litigation strategies and lobbying on Capitol Hill rather than attempting to negotiate a labor settlement with the owners.

"If you want to litigate, if you want to get Congress involved, you want a lockout to occur and you want the clock to run out [on negotiations] so your decertification and litigation strategy can come into play," Batterman said in a telephone interview.

And further....

"There is time if there were two things--a serious partner who wanted to get a deal done by March 3, and I have serious doubts about that, and if we spent serious time getting it done," Batterman said. "It's do-able if there were a desire to reach a serious compromise. Without that, it doesn't matter if there's 50 days or 500 days."

Batterman also said: "The fact that we're 50 days or whatever from expiration is almost irrelevant. I don't think there's a desire on the union's part to use those days constructively."

Batterman said that "the only side that has been talking about a lockout is the union. Roger Goodell could not be more clear that he wants a deal."

[JungleCat]

A shame if it happens.

[Jase]

cutting off one's nose to spite his face.

[Happy Panther]

Rivera would be like FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Or maybe he wouldn't care

[Kurb]

The NFL's outside labor attorney said Wednesday he believes the leaders of the NFL Players Association want team owners to lock out players when the sport's labor contract expires in March.

Misleading thread title.

That quote says the NFL thinks the NFLPA wants a lock out.

No way they are that stupid.

[Snake]

IMO that a poor strategy that only hurts the players more. This is what happens when you put a lawyer as your rep.

[Cyberjag]

So is Luck worth no NFL next year?

[Kurb]

So is Luck worth no NFL next year?

ya know I have learned somethign this year

a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush is very true

I was one of the noobs wishing for losses to get Luck

Now we just have a bunch of losses

Never again.

A win today is better than a draft pick tomorrow.

[Highlandfire]

I have said all along, Demorice Smith or however you say his name, is an asshole that is going to try to force the owners to do his will, not negotiate a contract. This clown wants to do nothing but push his personal agenda. I don't think he ever had any intent to negotiate.

So if the players want to go to congress so be it. Lock their asses out. There is nothing in labor law that says any company, org etc has to pay X % of their profits to employees. They could litterally cut what they pay them in half and there isn't anything the government is going to do about it.

The players really need to punt kick Smith and get someone on board that will negotiate.

[countryboi]

IMO that a poor strategy that only hurts the players more. This is what happens when you put a lawyer as your rep.

only a lawyer would come up with an ass backward conclusion like this....do no pass go just go straight to litigation

[Montsta]

fuging slimy ass lawyers. This reminds me of a show I saw where a divorce lawyer had somebody coerce his clients (soon to be) ex into having an affair, even though dude was otherwise faithful, so she could use infidelity to void a prenuptial. fuging greaseball.

[panthers55]

Obviously there are issues on both sides bu the players saying that the 18 game season is a deal breaker is just one example where they are refusing to negotiate with the owners. They believe things are fine the way they are and don't want any change. Honestly I don't know if that is true or not but it seems to me that the player's union is taking a hard line which means that the lockout is likely at this point. Lawyers seem more intent on win-lose scenarios sometimes then they do about working for a good solution for both sides.

[carolinarolls]

players think that if they are "locked out" they will get the benefit of public opinion and keep their ridiculous salaries.

I love football but i am on the side of the owners here, on all counts

[carolinarolls]

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