There’s a report from Adam Schefter regarding the expected timetable for a ruling on the motion to lift the lockout while the class-action lawsuit between the NFL and its players proceeds.
An NFLPA source tells Schefter that no ruling is expected until the middle of April, at the earliest.
But here’s the thing. No one knows when the ruling will come, for the same reason that no one knows what the ruling will be.
Last week, NFL officials indicated that Judge Susan Nelson could issue a ruling “from the bench” at the conclusion of oral arguments. It’s unlikely, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented. As of today, she has all of the written submissions from the party. (We’ll break down the players’ last word soon.) Judge Nelson could come to a decision, and she could decide to issue that decision in open court if she hears nothing from the parties that would change her mind.
Courts generally take motions for preliminary injunction very seriously. They realize that time is of the essence, and they try to move as quickly as they can. Complicating matters (or not) is the judge’s schedule. Is Judge Nelson in trial? Does she have a conference to attend? Is a vacation scheduled?
Bottom line? No one knows. And those who say they know don’t know what they don’t know.