Separating Fact from Fiction: NFL Supreme Court Action Does NOT Affect Retired Players
Many retired players received an e-mail this morning that stated the NFL’s petition of the Supreme Court would stop any future legal action on behalf of retired players. We’re not sure how the authors of these claims came to this conclusion but we’ll give them credit for their unbelievable ability to spin any news coming out of the NFL and NFLPA to bolster their efforts of dividing retired players. What’s next? Will they claim Commissioner Goodell’s upcoming hike up Mt. Rainier for charity is actually for a meeting with the late Gene Upshaw to hammer out details of a new CBA? We wouldn’t be surprised. The level of innuendo and falsehoods coming from the dividers do not surprise us anymore.
Below are facts, not fiction related to the case.
The petition of the Supreme Court relates to American Needle Inc.’s challenge to the league’s exclusive contract for selling headwear such as caps and hats with team logos on them. It should be noted that American Needle Inc. has petitioned the court for a ruling also. It’s not a secret that team owners want the courts to issue a ruling that would insulate them from frivolous lawsuits from those vendors like American Needle, not retired players.
The central theme of this case is whether the NFL’s teams constitute 32 distinct businesses or a single entity that can act collectively without violating antitrust law.
Both the NBA and NHL have field friend-of-the-court briefs siding with the NFL on this case.
The NFL’s argument in this case is that “Member clubs of the NFL have no independent value, no purpose, indeed no meaningful reason for existence but for their participation in the league itself.”
Below are the links to the petitions and the 7th Court of Appeals ruling. Please review them and form your own opinions. Don’t let innuendo and scare tactics filled with fictitious claims and no solutions continue to divide retired players.
While we are talking lawsuits; and separating fact from fiction, let’s dispel another fiction – that becoming a member of the NFL Alumni association will limit a former player’s right to participate in any future law suits. A quick glance at the Adderly Class Action member list shows many of those former players hold or held positions of authority with the Union. Others have NFL jobs; some others are radio and TV announcers for NFL games and shows.