type="text/css">
In the next step of the NFL and players
CBA agreement, today both sides will make their arguments in front of
the eighth circuit court in regards to lifting the NFL lockout.
Fantasy football managers are hoping for a conclusion to this very
soon.
However, no immediate decision is
supposed to be rendered, and the judges may take anywhere from two to
six weeks in making their decision. The eighth circuit court strongly
hinted in their last decision that they would rule in keeping the
lockout in place. Their last decision was to maintain the lockout
after they gave their emergency ruling to reinstate the lockout when
the NFL filed with them immediately after Judge Nelson ruled the
lockout illegal. In that decision they hinted that after the June 3
hearing they most likely were going to keep the same rolling which
would hold the lockout and leave fantasy football managers sitting on
their hands and waiting.
Possible light at the end of the tunnel
occurred earlier this week when the NFL and players met secretively
for essentially two days – without lawyers! Following this the
judge initiated or should I say advanced the mediation to what he
called “confidential settlement talks.” Confusing as it may be,
this could be inkling that fantasy football may be just around the
corner.
Optimism needs to be tempered at this
point. The realization that the players have not lost very much
income, to date, means that they may not be in a big hurry to settle,
despite the fact that the NFL seems to be holding the upper hand at
this point. The majority of their income is earned during the regular
season which means week one is a pivotal point and that's far far
away. However, there is hope that during this two to six week time
frame both sides could make some meaningful agreements now that we're
in this confidential settlement mode.
type="text/css">
Emil Kadlec is an expert
and with a keen interest in Fantasy Football. Visit his site to get
more about Fantasy Football Rankings as well as Fantasy Football
Cheat Sheets.