Sometimes I think back to when I was a regular PFT reader, and not a writer.
Back then, I would often stop checking the site out around dinner time and check back around 9:30 a.m. [Editor’s note: Now, he merely shows up for work around 9:30 a.m.] Readers who took that approach last night missed quite a bit.
Not long before 6:30 p.m. ET on Monday, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the NFL’s motion for a stay, ensuring the lockout would continue until Judge Nelson’s ruling is reviewed. Here’s a quick recap of our coverage since then:
ESPN reported a breakthrough in mediated talks, a rare bit of sunshine in this cloudy process.
Multiple reports quickly disputed that progress had been made between the owners and players.
Still, the lack of progress may have just been a case of semantics. The NFL made a new offer Monday evening, which is a positive sign, if nothing else.
The strong language of the Eighth Circuit’s ruling came as a blow to the players, perhaps more than the ruling itself.
The NFL is taking this rare victory in the courts to push for more negotiation, and ramp up efforts toward collective bargaining.
The ball is now in the court of the players. Based on the words from NFLPA* head DeMaurice Smith, it doesn’t appear initially that they will back down.
That should have you caught up with all the labor fun. Now we hurry up and wait once again.