NFL lockout has been lifted

Judge Susan Nelson grants request of players for an injuction that forces NFL teams to continue football operations.

Sam Farmer

LA Times

4:10 PM PDT, April 25, 2011

The NFL lockout has been lifted.

Judge Susan Nelson of the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis granted the request of the players for an injunction that forces NFL teams to continue football operations.

Nelson's ruling gives the players an early victory in their battle with team owners over a new collective bargaining agreement in the $9 billion business. Owners locked out the players after negotiations broke down on March 11 and the players decertified their union.

Nelson could have granted the injunction but issued a stay to keep the lockout in place until the appeal. However, she decided not to stay the decision, meaning the league must lift the lockout immediately and cannot put it in place while it waits for a decision from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

The NFL issued a statement saying it will appeal Nelson's ruling.

"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 appellate court has the ability to overturn a ruling when it finds a mistake in the application of the law.

"It means that the NFL is going to go back to business as usual with the old system," said attorney Jerome Stanley, a longtime player agent. "The parties will eventually sit down and negotiate a new system."

DeMaurice Smith, head of the decertified NFL Players' Assn., said he was "happy for our players and for our fans. Today, those who love football are the winners."

Reactions from players was just as positive.

"Today's ruling is a win for the players and for the fans that want to see a full NFL season in 2011," Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora said. "The lockout is bad for everyone and players will continue to fight it. We hope that this will bring us one step closer to playing the game we love."

Times staff writer Lance Pugmire contributed to this report.