NFL's dispute with union moves to courts

The NFL's unresolved labor dispute now moves to the courts, where a judge could determine the short-term future of the league.

A request for an injunction against the NFL's lockout will be assigned to a judge -- likely David S. Doty -- Monday in federal district court in Minneapolis. The request, filed by 10 players, including quarterbacks Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, seeks to halt the lockout and force the league to resume operations immediately. Those players also have filed a class action lawsuit against the league on antitrust grounds.

Doty has been the presiding judge for many disputes between the NFL and the union, and he has ruled in favor of the players in many instances. He ruled March 1 that the league violated the terms of the collective-bargaining agreement by agreeing to more than $4 billion worth of television contracts that would have paid off even if a lockout were to occur. Doty ruled the league essentially was creating a war chest to fund a lockout. He has not set a hearing date to determine damages.

If an injunction is issued, the NFL will appeal, a process that could take up to three months before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals renders a decision.

The league imposed a lockout at midnight Friday, hours after the NFL Players Association filed papers to decertify. The NFLPA, now operating as a trade association, failed to reach agreement with the league on a new CBA after nearly three weeks of mediated talks in Washington.

It is uncertain when a ruling on an injunction might come. NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said it could take up to a month. However, Art Rooney II, Steelers president and co-owner, said Sunday on the team's website that he believes a ruling could come within a week.

If an injunction were granted, the NFL would be forced to resume normal operations and the free-agency signing period probably would begin within days. The league hasn't said which free-agency rules it would institute in the event of an injunction, although there are indications that 2010 guidelines would be used.

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There was no salary cap last season, when a player needed at least six years' experience for unrestricted free agency. Players with less experience and expired contracts were restricted free agents. Under a salary cap, players could become unrestricted free agents after four years.

Teams have made contract offers to would-be free agents as a precaution in case last year's work rules are imposed.

The Jets' Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie and the Giants' Steve Smith and Barry Cofield would have been unrestricted free agents in the era of the salary cap. If the players win an injunction, the four would be restricted free agents if the 2010 rules are implemented.