NFL Players Association decertifies in possible precursor to lockout

[SpartanDem]

Source: AP

The NFL players’ union decertified on Friday, making the league’s first work stoppage since 1987 a near certainty

After 16 days of mediated talks with the NFL, the sides could not reach agreement on a new deal. The current one expires at the end of Friday, and the league could lock out its players.

By decertifying, the union clears the way for individual players to file antitrust lawsuits against the NFL, which opted out of the CBA in 2008. It renounced its right to represent the players in contract bargaining.

In 1989, the NFLPA also decertified. Antitrust lawsuits by players forced a new CBA in 1993 that included free agency, and the union formed again that year

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