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Judge rules in favor of players in lockout ruling 04.25.11 at 5:58 pm ET
By

Judge Nelson (AP)

In the labor battle between the NFL owners and players, Federal Judge Susan Richard Nelson ruled for players Monday afternoon, lifting the lockout. The work stoppage, the first in the NFL since 1987, has been in effect since last month.

In an 89-page ruling, Nelson wrote that the plaintiffs “have made a strong showing that allowing the League to continue their ‘lockout’ is presently inflicting, and will continue to inflict, irreparable harm upon them, particularly when weighed against the lack of any real injury that would be imposed on the NFL by issuing the preliminary injunction.”

“(T)he public ramifications of this dispute exceed the abstract principles of the antitrust laws, as professional football involves many layers of tangible economic impact, ranging from broadcast revenues down to concessions sales,” Nelson wrote. “And, of course, the public interest represented by the fans of professional football — who have a strong investment in the 2011 season — is an intangible interest that weighs against the lockout. In short, this particular employment dispute is far from a purely private argument over compensation.”

“I’m happy for our guys and for our fans,” said NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith. “Today, those who love football are the winners.”

“Today’s ruling is a win for the players and for the fans that want to see a full NFL season in 2011,” said New York Giants defensive lineman Osi Umemyiora. “The lockout is bad for everyone, and players will continue to fight it. We hope that this will bring us one step closer to playing the game we love.”

The owners are now expected to appeal the decision to Nelson, and then the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. If the owners are unable to win an appeal — and a ruling is reportedly expected to come down relatively quickly — then the players could return to work immediately.

“We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals,” the league said in a statement issued shortly after the ruling was made public. “We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal.”

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  • Bruinman86

    I can’t believe he’s still around.  Welcome home.

  • Anonymous

    Hard to believe he’s 38. I remember watching him at BU and it doesn’t seem that long ago. Little veteran experience is never a bad thing. I doubt he still has that high motor but we’ll see.

  • Anthony

    This move should get them the cup now

  • Kobra543

    stupid dumd deal, idk hockey, but what a waste, retire your bumb

  • Boo

    why not just bring back rechhi? 

  • Bumps 69

    yawn!

  • Boo

     sarcasm for you nitwits

  • Anonymous

    Obvious depth move, doubt he gets any ice time. 

  • Phil wallace

    2 cups good leadership,coached him as a freshman at St.John’s Prep great guy,top notch shot handed player, shot money.good deal.

  • 2loose

    Sniper, sniper, SNIPER! 

  • Brian

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  • glenn88

    Sniper???   He never had more than 14 goals and 27 points in a season!   He is known as a defensive left wing who was good on the PK.  I guess if you lose a couple of good PK guys like Paille, Kelly or Campbell he could step in on the 4th line and play on a PK unit, but I am surprised the organization shelled out a pro-rated $600k for him. 

  • Kevin

    Jarome Iginla is the prize here people…if not…Milan Hejduk of Col…then Alex Kovalev/or bring back Brad Boyes if we have injuries…

  • Schwank

    Signed for Depth

  • Marchmont

    I played against Pandolfo in high school. Haha. That was a long time ago.
    Good pickup though, I wonder what this means for Chris Bourque. Will be fun to see it pan out.

    You guys think hes gonna end up playing with Marchmont?

  • Titletown1

    I understand this move if it means replacing Bourque. But the B’s still need a no kidding goal scorer….

  • Kearney545

    When Seguin isn’t scoring he’s too soft for the everyday line up.

  • Sicko

     I actually think he’s gotten a lot more physical than last year. Not sure he’s too soft just makes stupid mistakes/decisions at the wrong time. The problem is with the shortened season those bad plays are magnified and looks even worse because he isn’t scoring.

  • Fab4ever

    The point was totally out of the blue, especially getting the 2 late goals…Milan Lucic needs to get his game in order…he’s had some dumb moments in judgement in a few games this season…the author here is being kind. He’s looked wretched at times …and stupid…Seguin? He’ll be fine…he’s still in Europe mentally…and maybe physically…The Rangers are good, real good…I can see the B’s and Rangers in the Conference Finals….

  • Sicko

    Yeah, take the gift last second tie and run. These teams are pretty much the mirror of each other in so many ways. Throw Pittsburgh and New Jersey in and I think you have the best team in the east.

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    “Marchmont!”

  • Chrisindanvers

    Definitely a surprising comeback. The Rangers had something they wanted to prove – particularly as they are righting their ship – but the Bruins punched right back. This type of comeback shows a lot about this Bruins team; particularly since it would have been easier to roll over.

  • Bruinman86

    Great comeback for what looked like a flat, uninspired team for 2 periods.  The third period was wild and very entertaining.  But the OT and shootout looked much like the first 2 periods for the Bruins.  Off night I guess.

  • Bruinman86

    You’ve posted this for quite a while now.  I can’t say that I get it.  Care to explain?

  • Uncle Buck

    Definitely not one of Tuukka’s better efforts, also Ferrence had a bad night.  Lundqvist is a wall. The Rangers are very good. I did think Bourque played one of his better games.  

  • Willybeamin204

    Seguin is playing scared, I’ve never seen someone go down as much as him last night. He stopped skating in a foot race for an icing he should have gotten too but stopped and glided because he’s afraid to play physical. He’s not the player we thought he’d be. They need a goal scorer a guy to go to for offense. I love nose face but he’s not supposed to be a teams leading scorer.
    Can lucic do something besides take penalties on a consistent basis?

  • Fab4ever

    Lucic is a tough kid…and he can be extremely imposing out there…and a huge assett…but I suspect he’s as dumb as a bag of hammers and doesn’t have that cerebral mindset to play smart and use his talents in a positive manner each and every game..I can see Claude in the locker room talking to him very slowly….Seguin? I think he’s still green and learning…but at some point, he’ll need to break out…if he’s gonna be “that guy”, he cannot be floating around on the ice….

  • Bruinman86

     Ferrence has quickly become Dennis Wideman of 2010.  Awful.  On another note, has Brad Marchand no become the second coming of Ken Linsman? Rat 2.0?

  • Anonymous

    Great comeback. I thought there was no chance with how Lundqvist was playing. Great point for the Bruins, and takes a true win away from the Rangers as shout out wins don’t count the same as regulation and OT wins. Could be important in terms of home ice in the playoffs. 

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