Retired Players may cause problems

[sharkkiller]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6737912

While NFL owners and players appear to be inching toward a resolution of the league's long lockout, a group of retired players is clamoring to be more involved in the discussions.

The group filed a class-action complaint against the owners and current players in federal court Monday, saying they have been excluded from the mediation sessions taking place in an attempt to end the lockout.

Wonder what impact this will have, if any on negotiations.

[Montsta]

Retired players should be put on ice floats and sent out to sea like old Eskimoes.

[Ruff]

I don't think that it will be the retired players that end up causing the problems, but I do think that NFLPA*'s lawyers could end up being a real problem, with their crazy talk of the draft being illegal, etc.

[jtnc]

This poo will never end.

[Ruff]

This poo will never end.

Wonder which will happen first, the lock-out ends or Otah being in shape?

[neverlosethefeeling]

Is there not someone named in the lockout representing the retired players? It was my understanding that not only was there a plaintiff that was a retired player, but that there was also one who was in the midst of being drafted.

If that's the case, I think this is an easy dismissal for the judges. Especially when you consider the fact that the "current" players involved in negotiations know and understand that they will not be "current" players forever, so they need to protect themselves going forward and in retirement. And btw, they'll spend more time in retirement then they will as a "current" player, so that's got to be something they're considering.

[Jackofalltrades]

No, the retired players filed their own separate suit.

[pantherfan49]

Is there not someone named in the lockout representing the retired players? It was my understanding that not only was there a plaintiff that was a retired player, but that there was also one who was in the midst of being drafted.

If that's the case, I think this is an easy dismissal for the judges. Especially when you consider the fact that the "current" players involved in negotiations know and understand that they will not be "current" players forever, so they need to protect themselves going forward and in retirement. And btw, they'll spend more time in retirement then they will as a "current" player, so that's got to be something they're considering.

You are giving current players way too much credit. They aren't that smart.

[neverlosethefeeling]

Prolly

[carpanfan96]

No, the retired players filed their own separate suit.

Correct, but Nelson combined the retired players lawsuit with the Brady lawsuit. Retired players were present at the earlier negotiations but haven't been present in the last 4 or 5 sessions, which pisses them off to a great deal because they feel like the NFLPA keeps rejecting the NFL's idea of removing part of the Money stream to give to retired players. Hence the retired players have filled a motion to stop the Negotiations between the players and the NFL as them not being included in the negotiations is an violation of anti trust laws.

[countryboi]

i dont see how the retired players could cause a problem they really dont have a stake at the table at all.....they really just playing hand out card

[OchoNueve]

Retired players will have little to nothing to do with resolution to the lockout.

[carpanfan96]

i dont see how the retired players could cause a problem they really dont have a stake at the table at all.....they really just playing hand out card

They have a stake in this to the tune of around 18 million multiplied by 32 teams each season, so I'd say it's a pretty hefty stake.

They are retired players and the NFL gives retired players Medical coverage and so forth, plus pensions and what not. What they are saying is that it's against the law (anti trust) for the Current players to negotiate on their behalf, which it is since there isn't an NFLPA any more.

Also this group of retired players for the most part have been in the lawsuit discussion since the start. They feel like now that they aren't being included at the negotiation table that they are being cheated by the Current players and their lawyers.

They have viable leg to stand on in court, just depends on how fast Nelson views the lawsuit and makes a ruling on it. I would be surprised if this doesn't throw a wrench in the players attempts to get owners to pay for retirement benefits and it not come out of the Revenue split, which will in turn throw a wrench in the negotiations.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Nelson put a hold on negotiations or force it to where the retired players would have a lawyer or representative at future talks.

The biggest thing is how fast Nelson makes a ruling on This new lawsuit. The third of which that has been done by players or former players.

[sharkkiller]

The problem that I have with this, is that they retired players are feeling left out, and without representation they will probably not receive the compensation they deserve.

I agree that they should be there, but I also think that the active players should be working for a solution that benefits the retired players, as they will all be there one day. Much sooner than later.

I get the feeling that the active players are guilty of being extremely shortsighted, and are looking out for their pockets now, and will worry about the future when it gets here.

I am starting to feel like the players and the NFLPA are creating more of the problems than the owners. IMHO, for what it is worth.