NFLPA Expected To Decertify; Owners May Trigger Start Of Lockout

All indications are that the NFLPA will decertify today, "setting off a long legal battle with NFL owners," who then are expected to lock out the players. NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith yesterday on Twitter promised players that he will have an update for them at 2:00pm ET. One source said that it "appears Smith is walking away early from mediation," adding that the union "could file a temporary restraining order to prevent a lockout for five days and then battle it out in court" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/11).

There were "small-group talks" between the NFL and union reps yesterday, the 15th day of federally mediated negotiations, but "no one gave any indication that progress was made." The owners held a 90-minute conference call yesterday afternoon. A source said that the message to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Exec VP & General Counsel Jeff Pash at the end of the call was, "Do what you have to do and we support you" (ESPN.com, 3/10).