Confused about the lockout

[Brokenbad]

Ok, so if there is a lockout next year does that mean that all the NFL players have to sit out?

Please don't flame this thread, the business side of football confuses the hell out of me.

[Black]

The owners prohibit football from being played, so yes, everyone sits out.

[Brokenbad]

The owners prohibit football from being played, so yes, everyone sits out.

Well....I think that pretty much sums it up....

[Happy Panther]

yeah its not like a player strike where the owners can bring in scrubs. The owners are closing the doors to the stadium

now what could happen is that current NFL players go to play for the UFL or a startup league for a year. I think.

[CatMan72]

Will be interesting to see if the players get together on their own and practice like the '82 Skins did...

[The_Cannon]

Will be interesting to see if the players get together on their own and practice like the '82 Skins did...

I'm sure a lot of players will especially seeing how most players that actually care get together over the summer and workout anyway.

I hope that the veterans are working with a lot of the scrubs and rookies on money management now cause a year without a pay check can be a major hit for some of these practice squad players...just like for the rest of us.

[Skew]

What makes it more confusing is that the players can vote to decertify the union (which they currently have the votes to do). If they players vote to do this, the owners can't lockout the players. Not sure how it would play out under these circumstances.

[Anybodyhome]

What makes it more confusing is that the players can vote to decertify the union (which they currently have the votes to do). If they players vote to do this, the owners can't lockout the players. Not sure how it would play out under these circumstances.

Well, sort of. If the players vote to decertify the union it allows the players, as individuals, to sue the owners in civil court. Unlike the union where it is one case for all players and is considered a labor action, without a union it becomes an individual civil case. This is a weak alternative as the NFL has rarely lost any kind of labor suit in the courts and it would require each player who wants to sue to hire an attorney and pay the lawyer knowing he's not going to get paid.

The same thing was done after the 1987 mess and it basically created free agency in the NFL. Keep in mind that the players are merely voting to give the union the option of decertifying, not the actual decertification itself.

[Sandy Claws]

now what could happen is that current NFL players go to play for the UFL or a startup league for a year. I think.

Those without contracts (like Deangelo Williams) could, but likely wouldn't base on current salary structures of those leagues.

[Pimpdaddy]

Ok, so if there is a lockout next year does that mean that all the NFL players have to sit out?

Please don't flame this thread, the business side of football confuses the hell out of me.

check out this site for some info on the subject. The reading is a little stuffy but u'll get the idea...

http://nfllabor.com