NFL Lockout reinstated by Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Well, that didn’t last long. Less than a day after Judge Susan Nelson issued a preliminary injunction barring the lockout, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, chose to grant NFL owners an administrative stay of Judge Nelson’s decision. That means, in no uncertain terms, that the lockout is back on, and just hours after players were allowed to return to team facilities for workouts and meetings. The temporary stay was imposed to “give the court sufficient time to consider the merits” of a longer stay.

The decision to reinstall the lockout came on April 29, during the second day of the NFL Draft. “Our attorneys will review the decision and will advise all clubs as soon as possible on next steps” the league said in an issued statement. Hours later the league instructed teams to lock out the players again. 

Seeing that this dispute could affect the employment and gainful enterprising of many more people than just the players and league ownership, the Eighth Circuit Court has granted the NFL’s request for an expedited hearing, scheduling the hearing for June 3. While the court is deciding the ultimate fate of the NFL’s 2011 season, they’re still deciding on whether to grant the NFL a permanent stay of Judge Nelson’s ruling. A permanent stay of the ruling will keep the lockout in affect through the duration of the NFL’s appeal.

“There are a number of issues that I think separate us but they are going to get resolved at the negotiating table,´ said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, reiterating the need for collective bargaining, “and the sooner we can get back to that, the better.”

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