We pointed out earlier today that the StarCaps trial has ended, and that Judge Gary Larson will issue a ruling within 45 days after receiving written briefs from the parties on April 2.
In an effort to better understand the overall posture of the case, we’ve spoken with Dan Nash, the NFL’s lead counsel in the StarCaps trial. Nash, who surely would have preferred to be doing anything other than talking shop after spending a full week in trial, explained that plaintiffs Pat and Kevin Williams had waived their right to a jury trial in a pre-trial conference.
As a result, this week’s trial was the only trial that will occur in the case.
Nash also explained that the question of whether the NFL violated the notice provisions contained in the relevant Minnesota statute was included in the trial, notwithstanding Judge Larson’s prior decision that the league had failed to provide timely notice of the positive drug tests. (Apparently, Judge Larson acknowledged that he had incorrectly recited the facts in finding that there had not been compliance with the notice requirement.)
So the key issues to be determined are: (1) whether the drug-testing program violated Minnesota statutory requirements requiring timely notice of positive results; (2) whether the NFL failed to maintain confidentiality of the results, as required by Minnesota law; and (3) whether the NFL is a joint employer of the players. If the first or the second question and the third question are answered in the affirmative, the next question is whether Judge Larson will block the four-game suspensions of Pat and Kevin Williams.
And that’s ultimately the one question about which all fans and foes of the Vikings are interested.
An answer is coming by the middle of May. Subject to appeals that could last months.
Anything less than a full suspension is a mockery of sports drug testing, if their not suspended the NFL should cancel the program entirely and let players juice up until a federal program is mandated in congress
packer fans, i understand your season really depends on if the Williams wall plays or not plays. if they play your best hope is for another wild card loss.
Didn’t Gary Larson draw the “Far Side” cartoons? He’s come up a bit in the world.
This case should have been dismissed a year ago. It just gives the NFL a bad reputation as a steroid league when clearly they were cutting weight for pre-season physicals. They should have suspended them the 1st four games of the season in 2008 instead of waiting to try and do it around the play-offs.
Vikes Superbowl!!!!! Getting my Purple Jersey at K-Mart tonight, just waiting for my Ramsey county welfare check!! SHOW ME DUH $$$$$$ I hook up with all my Vikings gear with state cash!! Thats how we roll up in here!!!
SKOL!
Please dear God, just stop. OK, we know that Florio is a big fan of the Vikings and can’t help himself but this case is only of interest to a few die hard Viking fans and ex lawyers like yourself who thinks reading these legal briefs is somehow interesting.
For the rest of us, just give us a weekly update on how Brent’s lawn is doing and whether Chilly is flying down to Mississippi to service, I mean, visit with his INT throwing QB. Keep us posted on the rumor that Brent and AD are going to start a bakery and serve their specialty, turnovers or recent arrests for speeding among the criminal element otherwise known as the players.
Jimmysmith- you are like a Wisconsin cheese, the longer you are around the smellier you get. Why do you read it if you know you won’t like it???
Jimmysmith,
As Rando said,Don’t read it!!! Brett did cut his yard on friday…
Keep throwing $ around to beat the system Williams’! Hey isn’t that what America is about?
Four-game suspension? Appeals? Delays?
It’s all irrelevant, ’cause pretty soon Kevin and Pat will be TOO OLD TO PLAY!!!!!
Favrelous: packer fans, i understand your season really depends on if the Williams wall plays or not plays. if they play your best hope is for another wild card loss.
This guy is a joke. Aaron Rodgers is gonna shred through the NFC North in 2010. No doubt the Packers with re-take command of that division. Bears will finish 2nd Lions 3rd followed by the Queens! Go Pack Go!
attentionn douchebag Vikings fans….get over last year. Congratulations…your team won twice against Green Bay and shit the bed like they always do when the chips were down. Favre is the absoloute reason your team lost against the Saints when they had the game in the bag…Favre blew it when it counted like he did every time since 1998. Every stop on his self-love tour ended with an interception….if you look up “narcicist” in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Brett Favre, holding another picture of himself…hold on tight Vikings fans, for it will be a long winter of discontent while you hang on his every word of whether he will come back or not.
subadai says:
March 13, 2010 3:47 PM
Didn’t Gary Larson draw the “Far Side” cartoons? He’s come up a bit in the world.
…………………………..
Well played sir, full marks.
This thing sort of boomeranged around on Larson. That’s what you get for being a homer.
1, we all know Favre is coming back.
2, Packer fans just need to acknowledge that they are the Vikings bitch
3, Everyone can blame Favre for that last pick, but they wouldn’t be in that situation if they don’t drop the ball 6 TIMES.
4, Packer fans need to realize they kicked Favre out of their camp. Favre wanted to come back and they said no. All you have to blame is yourself for not having him. We all know its pure jealously.
Vikes got robbed 5 times 4 in the superbowl, yeah we won those games, we just got jobbed by the refs; in my eyes we have 4 Lombardis and as far as the Saints game goes we got screwed by the refs, really the Vikes are the best with the best fans in the NFL. Lot of jealous Packer fans wish they would of been to the big game like we did 4 times and we own you pukers too. BTW got my check, heading to Walmart right now to get my AP jersey, my moms made our favorite family meal Purple Corned Beef Hash with Ragnar Gravy.
SKOL!
vikesfan4ever says:
March 13, 2010 8:38 PM
1, we all know Favre is coming back.
2, Packer fans just need to acknowledge that they are the Vikings bitch
3, Everyone can blame Favre for that last pick, but they wouldn’t be in that situation if they don’t drop the ball 6 TIMES.
4, Packer fans need to realize they kicked Favre out of their camp. Favre wanted to come back and they said no. All you have to blame is yourself for not having him. We all know its pure jealously.
————————————————–
Right. Because Favre’s next 10 years will be great…….wait….he is already 40…A Rod is 25. Hmmmmm, tough one…..
All you Viking fans who think the reason we lost is because of #12 need to open their eyes! A Rod IS the FUTURE of the NFL!!!