Appeals court allows NFL lockout to continue

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Source: The Washington Post

A federal appeals court Monday agreed to let the NFL extend pro football’s lockout, allowing team owners to keep the sport shut down while they appeal a lower court ruling that ordered them to resume normal operations.

The decision is a significant victory for the league, because it could prolong the lockout for weeks or months beyond a scheduled June 3 hearing on the merits of the case. Such delays put increasing pressure on the players’ side in collective bargaining negotiations.

"We have serious doubts that the district court had jurisdiction to enjoin the league’s lockout, and accordingly conclude that the league has made a strong showing that it is likely to succeed on the merits," a 2-1 majority of the three-judge appellate panel concluded.

With the lockout imposed by team owners March 12 in place, teams are prohibited from signing free agents or trading players. Coaches are not permitted to have contact with players. The sport’s drug-testing program is not in effect.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/appeals-court-extends-lockout/2011/05/03/AFhSyB5G_story.html

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The two judges who ruled for the lockout - Duane Benton and Steven Colloton - are appointees of George W. Bush; the dissenting judge, Kermit Bye, is a Bill Clinton appointee.