More Pro Football Chaos as 8th Circuit Sides With NFL, Reinstates Lockout During Draft
Siding with the National Football League, a federal appeals court today in effect ordered a lockout back into place by granting a temporary stay of a lower court’s order in favor of players.
The 2-1 decision of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can be expected to create further uncertainty and some chaos, coming as the second round of the NFL draft and shortly after some teams had opened their doors to players and begun some operations, reports the Associated Press.
“The purpose of this administrative stay is to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the merits of the motion for a stay pending appeal,” the majority of the appellate panel said in the court’s order (PDF).
However, a dissenting judge said the NFL could have waited for a final decision on its motion for a stay and reestablished its lockout then, if it wins.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Federal Judge Grants Injunction Ending Lockout; NFL Seeks Stay, Plans Expedited Appeal”
ABAJournal.com: “Lockout Case Asks Conservative-Leaning 8th Circuit to Decide Between Business Interests, Free Market”
