NFL Talks Collapse; Brady, Others Sue League

Developments put next year's season in doubt
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 11, 2011 6:16 PM CST
NFL Lockout: Talks Collapse, Players Union Decertifies, and Tom Brady Sues League With Other Players
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in a game last year.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

NFL labor talks broke down just hours before the latest contract extension expired today, putting America's most popular sport on a path to its first work stoppage since 1987. Despite 16 days of negotiations with a federal mediator, the sides could not agree on a new deal. The league said it hadn't decided whether to lock out the players, who, meanwhile, went to court to request an injunction to block such a move.

The NFL players' union decertified—effectively ceasing to operate as a certified union. The move means it no longer represents the players in collective bargaining, clearing the way for class-action lawsuits against the NFL. Immediately, players including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees filed an antitrust suit against the league. They also filed a request for an injunction that would keep the NFL and the teams from engaging in a lockout. (More NFL stories.)

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