The NFL has filed a complaint against the players’ union, arguing that the NFLPA has refused to bargain in good faith so that the union then can decertify and file an antitrust lawsuit.
The union has responded.
“The players didn’t walk out and the players can’t lockout,” NFLPA spokesman George Atallah told PFT via e-mail. “Players want a fair, new and long-term deal. We have offered proposals and solutions on every issue the owners have raised. This claim has absolutely no merit.”
The league hopes to prevent the union from decertifying so that a lockout could proceed. The fact that the league has made the claim is the clearest evidence yet that a lockout is planned.