CASPER
New member
MINNEAPOLIS – After four long and intense mediation sessions between the NFL and its locked-out players, the judge decided to give both parties an extended break.
By the time they reconvene in mid-May, the landscape of their discussions could be completely different.
Executive vice president Jeff Pash, the NFL's lead negotiator, said Wednesday that U.S. Judge Magistrate Arthur Boylan told both sides they likely won't convene again until May 16 because he has a few other matters on his judicial calendar.
In the interim, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide well before then on the players' request to immediately lift the now 40-day-old lockout.
Also coming: U.S. District Judge David Doty has scheduled a hearing for May 12 on the players' request for damages after he ruled in March that the NFL did not maximize revenues for both sides when it renegotiated $4 billion in TV contracts with the labor dispute looming.
Finally, there could be a fourth set of lawyers and players at the mediation table, with a Philadelphia law firm talking with another group of players about joining the fight.
"We've had discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice in the matter," said Bryan Clobes of Cafferty Faucher.
Those discussions are ongoing, but all of those elements combined could swing the leverage to one side or the other in a case where there has been little of it, perhaps increasing the chances the court-ordered mediation will produce some much-needed progress with the first preseason game just 3 1/2 months away.
"There's a lot of uncertainties right now," Pash said. "I think when we're back together we'll know more. People's legal positions will be clearer."
Both sides said the sessions with Boylan were positive and productive.
"I think everybody believes it was helpful and that's really where we are," said Jim Quinn, an attorney for the players.
Hall of Fame player Carl Eller agreed.
"I do feel very positive about the 2011 season," Eller said. "I think everybody has come here with the idea to have a 2011 season and it's just not been easy to get to that point. So I think everybody's been working hard toward that goal. Seeing them work to that end makes me much more optimistic. I would certainly say we're going to have a 2011 season."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is planning to start the season on time despite the lengthy process of navigating the legal system.
"We're planning to play a full season and we're going to negotiate as hard as we can to get that done," Goodell told Giants season-ticket holders in a conference call during a break in mediation session at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.
Later, he reiterated that commitment during a forum with 49ers fans, saying there are "a number of pressing issues that need to be addressed responsibly."
By the time they reconvene in mid-May, the landscape of their discussions could be completely different.
Executive vice president Jeff Pash, the NFL's lead negotiator, said Wednesday that U.S. Judge Magistrate Arthur Boylan told both sides they likely won't convene again until May 16 because he has a few other matters on his judicial calendar.
In the interim, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide well before then on the players' request to immediately lift the now 40-day-old lockout.
Also coming: U.S. District Judge David Doty has scheduled a hearing for May 12 on the players' request for damages after he ruled in March that the NFL did not maximize revenues for both sides when it renegotiated $4 billion in TV contracts with the labor dispute looming.
Finally, there could be a fourth set of lawyers and players at the mediation table, with a Philadelphia law firm talking with another group of players about joining the fight.
"We've had discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice in the matter," said Bryan Clobes of Cafferty Faucher.
Those discussions are ongoing, but all of those elements combined could swing the leverage to one side or the other in a case where there has been little of it, perhaps increasing the chances the court-ordered mediation will produce some much-needed progress with the first preseason game just 3 1/2 months away.
"There's a lot of uncertainties right now," Pash said. "I think when we're back together we'll know more. People's legal positions will be clearer."
Both sides said the sessions with Boylan were positive and productive.
"I think everybody believes it was helpful and that's really where we are," said Jim Quinn, an attorney for the players.
Hall of Fame player Carl Eller agreed.
"I do feel very positive about the 2011 season," Eller said. "I think everybody has come here with the idea to have a 2011 season and it's just not been easy to get to that point. So I think everybody's been working hard toward that goal. Seeing them work to that end makes me much more optimistic. I would certainly say we're going to have a 2011 season."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is planning to start the season on time despite the lengthy process of navigating the legal system.
"We're planning to play a full season and we're going to negotiate as hard as we can to get that done," Goodell told Giants season-ticket holders in a conference call during a break in mediation session at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.
Later, he reiterated that commitment during a forum with 49ers fans, saying there are "a number of pressing issues that need to be addressed responsibly."