Reports that players offered to start bargaining again...

[Mr. Scot]

...and the owners refused :mad:

Their reason? They demand that the NFLPA recertify as a union before they'll engage in any discussion.

Funny thing though. Didn't the NFL recently say they were willing to negotiate anytime the players wanted?

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

At this point I don't care anymore.

[Mr. Scot]

I don't really care which side "wins" as long as the eventual solution doesn't screw with the game.

Sadly, I'm not confident that will be avoided :(

[blackcatgrowl]

Well, I can sort of understand the motivation.

Right now, there is litigation against the NFL for Anti-Trust violations that was filed AFTER the union decertified. If the players want to negotiate, the NFL Owners want to resolve these court hearings, and the fastest way to do that is have them re-certify and have the court dismiss the cases on the grounds that the players have representation now.

There's also the fact that the players have lost a tremendous amount of ground with any sort of negotiations, by not getting Doty on the case, foopahs by the NFLPA* trade organization and the draft, and public and media support clearly not being on their side.

The players may have fuged themselves now, and the owners know it. If the court rules for the NFL Owners in two days, they may just be able to say "Here's your deal. Strike if you don't like it.", which will setup an avenue for replacement players and players who cross the picket lines.

[Montsta]

You ever have a wife or girlfriend that you would argue with about everything? And I mean really go out of the way to fight with even when they were being somewhat willing to compromise?

That's exactly what this NFL - Players relationship reminds me of at this point.

[The Other Colbert]

[firstdayfan]

I think the problem resides in the fact that it's the LAWYERS and not the players they would be negotiating with. I think the owners want to negotiate either with the players directly (which I'm not sure how that would work since they aren't a union) or have the union re-established so they can continue talks. Otherwise they will go to court and it is looking like it could favor the owners...and if it does the players will have to cave.

[countryboi]

but but they cant recertify for 6 months or some poo right?

[teeray]

Yeah. Seems like bullpoo. Smells like bullpoo. Looks like bullpoo. I wonder what it is?

[SorthNarolina]

Yeah. Seems like bullpoo. Smells like bullpoo. Looks like bullpoo. I wonder what it is?

a duck?

[Highlandfire]

Well, I can sort of understand the motivation.

Right now, there is litigation against the NFL for Anti-Trust violations that was filed AFTER the union decertified. If the players want to negotiate, the NFL Owners want to resolve these court hearings, and the fastest way to do that is have them re-certify and have the court dismiss the cases on the grounds that the players have representation now.

There's also the fact that the players have lost a tremendous amount of ground with any sort of negotiations, by not getting Doty on the case, foopahs by the NFLPA* trade organization and the draft, and public and media support clearly not being on their side.

The players may have fuged themselves now, and the owners know it. If the court rules for the NFL Owners in two days, they may just be able to say "Here's your deal. Strike if you don't like it.", which will setup an avenue for replacement players and players who cross the picket lines.

the owners know they are going to win or it wouldn't have went this far. I have a feeling they are going to show in court with no issues at all that D Smith and company wanted to go to court and never settle.

10 years financial records asked for just hours before the deadline? The NFLPA knew there was no way in hell that would happen and nor should it. The NFL gave them 5 years worth which is pretty much all the financial info since the current CBA was put in place which is all they needed.

Well the players got what they wanted, too bad for them it is going to bite them in the ass

[KBRed]

I didn't think that the players would run out of money this fast. The owners are going to make them eat off oodles of noodles and bologna sandwiches for a couple of weeks just so they'll know who their daddy is.

Maybe gourmet burgers over steaks first.

[CBDellinger]

At this point I don't care anymore.

I think that's the consensus at this point.

9 billion.... Someone call the Whaaaaaambulance.

[mountainpantherfan]

Remember that the NFL have their own suite, albeit with the trade association, that the NFLPA's decertification was and is a sham. If they agree in any way to negociate with the players outside of collective bargaining they are confirming the decertification as legit.