NFL mediation put off for a month

Representatives from the NFL, the NFL Players Association and a group of current and former players suing the league on antitrust grounds will take a significant break in mediation talks that were ordered nearly two weeks ago by a federal judge.

After meeting for four days at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis before mediator Arthur Boylan, the two sides won't meet again until May 16, according to NFL attorney Jeff Pash. He added that Boylan's schedule played a part in the recess, but did not elaborate.

The NFL's lockout of the players is in its 40th day, with no immediate signs that the two sides are any closer to resolving their long-standing dispute. Federal judge Susan Nelson is expected to rule soon on an injunction request from the players that the lockout be lifted. After a hearing in St. Paul on April 6, Nelson said she would need "a couple of weeks" to rule on the injunction.

Whichever way Nelson rules, the decision is likely to be appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. A ruling from the appeals court likely wouldn't be made for about two months.

The lockout represents the NFL's first work stoppage since a players strike early in the 1987 regular season.

Meanwhile, the Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday that a group of about 70 players, separate from the ones suing the league, is looking to secure representation in the mediation process. The Journal reported that an unspecified law firm is seeking additional players to make a formal request that Nelson appoint one of their representatives to participate in mediation. It's uncertain how the monthlong recess might affect that situation.