Mediation Resumes in NFL, Players Dispute

Source: AP

By DAVE CAMPBELL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The NFL and its locked-out players launched a second round of mediation Thursday, this time under a court order to try and figure out a solution to their labor dispute.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were among those on hand for the closed-door session at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith was joined by attorneys, linebackers Ben Leber and Mike Vrabel, as well as Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller. Smith greeted reporters as he approached the building, but he didn't respond to questions. Asked about his hope for the session as he hustled to the entrance, Vrabel smiled and joked that he just hoped he wasn't late.

The meeting stretched late into the afternoon and the two sides brought in sandwiches.


Read more: http://sports.excite.com/news/04142011/v4298.html

I'm stunned.

:sarcasm:

This is a labor dispute, where one group of highly killed and specialized workers is being locked out by a parasitic ownership class that contributes nothing of value.

You might not like football, maybe you don't like football players either.

...but that doesn't change the fact that this is one visible part of the anti-union campaign out there.

Support the players union!

Source: AP

By DAVE CAMPBELL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The NFL and its locked-out players started talking again, and they talked all day.

The only sign of progress or productivity, though, was the nine hours or so both sides spent in the federal courthouse on Thursday. Sworn to secrecy about specifics of the court-ordered mediation, neither the league nor the players provided much insight about where they're at in their dispute over the division of this $9 billion business.

They'll meet again on Friday.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were among those on hand for the closed-door session with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

Read more: http://sports.excite.com/news/04142011/v4962.html

That's the way it should work in all professional sports.

...so that other million- and billionaires can earn tv revenue.