The NFLPA has hired multiple law firms "to explore all legal options" regarding the NFL's new anthem policy, according to NBCSN's Mike Florio. That "includes a potential grievance" under the CBA." The argument would be that the NFL "changed the policy without engaging in good-faith bargaining." Florio said, "You can't just pull that rug out from under the union once you have made it clear that the players have a right to protest." It is expected the NFLPA will launch an "aggressive legal challenge ... because they believe that the NFL gave them that right to protest, they can't just take it away without engaging the union and working out some sort of an agreement to not protest during the anthem." The union "wants to sit down and have the conversation," and if the NFL "wants to change the current status quo that allows players to protest, they need to give the players something in return." Florio: "It's a dangerous PR measure for the NFLPA because what's going to happen is they're going to become the villains in this" ("PFT," NBCSN, 6/15).
TRUMP AGAIN WEIGHS IN ON ANTHEM: President Trump on Friday once again addressed the anthem controversy. Referring to NFL players, he said, “They all saying, ‘Oh, it has nothing to do with the flag. It’s the way we’ve been treated.’ In the meantime, they’re making $15,000,000 a year. … They shouldn’t get the politics involved.” He added, “When you’re in a stadium and they broadcast that anthem, you’ve gotta stand and you’ve gotta be proud and you gotta have your hand up and you gotta do everything that’s right. And then go out and play really tough football. Once you leave that stadium, go and do whatever you wanna do” (“Fox & Friends,” Fox News, 6/15).
