Well, the NFLPA finally moved forward with filing its collusion claim against the League today. The two sides had agreed earlier to delay the filing as part of an effort to continue negotiations but it looks like they’ve hit another impasse so the claim now goes into the hands of appointed Special Master Stephen Burbank. Read the press announcement on Sports Illustrated: Click HERE.
A new article from the Boston Globe’s Albert Breer, titled “Union’s pitch for capped 2010 shot down provides just a little more insight into why the League doesn’t want a cap next year.” The best part is an Update paragraph that was added to the end of the story:
The Supreme Court is hearing a major business case this week that debates the extent of its so-called “limited” antitrust exemption. The case is American Needle vs. NFL and if you’re like most of us, it’s hard to understand the details and importance of what ruling might come out of this case. A small clothing manufacturer – American Needle – was kicked to the curb when they lost their license to manufacture caps and jackets with NFL team logos. Reebok – a subsidiary of global athletic wear manufacturer Adidas – currently has the world rights to manufacture any and all licensed NFL wear and oversees a $3.2 billion+ market (2007) from selling NFL gear exclusively.
Dave was actually watching a bit of football on Sunday afternoon when he heard Al Michaels mention that his co-anchor, John Madden, was off on a two-week “vacation.” Coincidentally, the NFLPA/Players Inc. trial happens to be starting on Monday, October 20th. Even though he’s apparently not subpoenaed to testify, it’s rather mysterious that he’d take a couple of weeks off while the trial is running. Perhaps he just want to dodge some interesting questions.
So Sports Illustrated decided to have a little fun this morning on their SI.com website, comparing John Madden to legendary high-school slacker Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – click HERE to read about the movie). And just click on the picture below to go to Sports Illustrated’s story.
Poor Gene Upshaw – the poor guy just can’t get a break. Nobody seems to like him so he has to cry all the way to the bank. Some players are even making it more personal as you’ll see in the article. Read Gary Smith’s Bitter Battle for the Old Guard. continue reading »
The Supreme Court is hearing a major business case this week that debates the extent of its so-called “limited” antitrust exemption. The case is American Needle vs. NFL and if you’re like most of us, it’s hard to understand the details and importance of what ruling might come out of this case. A small clothing manufacturer – American Needle – was kicked to the curb when they lost their license to manufacture caps and jackets with NFL team logos. Reebok – a subsidiary of global athletic wear manufacturer Adidas – currently has the world rights to manufacture any and all licensed NFL wear and oversees a $3.2 billion+ market (2007) from selling NFL gear exclusively.