Heres something the NFL could do

[Squirrel]

If they keep getting unfavorable rulings they could just shutdown as the NFL. They could then start a new league and nothing could be done.

[Fiz]

well they'd be defying a court order and would owe treble damages in the billions to the players after it went to trial.

[Fiz]

as terrible as this idea is, however, it's still not as bad as you spending three years cheerleading a player who retired from the nfl after one hit.

[RHCPanther]

If they keep getting unfavorable rulings they could just shutdown as the NFL. They could then start a new league and nothing could be done.

I see. I guess nobody will want NFL stars to join this new league? The average fan is looking forward to scrubs from UFL? Sorted then.

[OchoNueve]

If they keep getting unfavorable rulings they could just shutdown as the NFL. They could then start a new league and nothing could be done.

If it was that easy, Mark Cuban would have started a new league as soon as the lockout started.

[Ruff]

well they'd be defying a court order and would owe treble damages in the billions to the players after it went to trial.

They would also have to pay x amount of dollars to fans who have bought PSL, season tickets, etc., or have a serious law suit brought down on them.

[mav1234]

I don't think this would happen but it is possible that you could see a change in the way the league handles revenue sharing, if there is no salary cap or salary floor, and football could end up a bit more like baseball.

[jpniner]

Disband and offshore, whose ready to cheer for the Bermuda Panthers?

[Highlandfire]

well they'd be defying a court order and would owe treble damages in the billions to the players after it went to trial.

not if they closed up business. This plan has actually been discussed and I wouldn't put it past some owners to close up shop vs giving in to the players esp if the courts rule against the owners.

If the courts rule you gotta do this and that, then close the business. the rulings are on the premise the NFL will continue to run as it has as a monopoly with the current 32 teams in place doing business as they have.

They can always split to the AFL/NFL again.

[jpniner]

If they go back to NFL and AFL, separate entities, the Anti-Trust laws no longer apply

[jtm]

LOL - you don't shut down a $9 billion business. Haven't all of you heard of labor disputes? Happens all the time in all businesses and it is a game of poker to see which side will bluff. The NFL needs the players and the players need the NFL. This will get worked out but the owners will not let the players set the terms - that is a dangerous direction to go. Do you really want this to be like baseball where a couple teams make 75% of the revenue and have the majority of the good players?

[jtm]

If they go back to NFL and AFL, separate entities, the Anti-Trust laws no longer apply

Not necessarily.

[Pantherxtreme]

If they keep getting unfavorable rulings they could just shutdown as the NFL. They could then start a new league and nothing could be done.

Yea because the average fan would just be thrilled watching Joe Blow throw td passes.

The owners created this mess so it serves them right.

[MrBubba]

LOL - you don't shut down a $9 billion business. Haven't all of you heard of labor disputes? Happens all the time in all businesses and it is a game of poker to see which side will bluff. The NFL needs the players and the players need the NFL. This will get worked out but the owners will not let the players set the terms - that is a dangerous direction to go. Do you really want this to be like baseball where a couple teams make 75% of the revenue and have the majority of the good players?

Problem is more liberal judges are going to side with the Union. And give us a baseball version of the NFL; the players lawsuit wants just that, no draft, no cap.