MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge backed the NFL players’ union over the league Tuesday in a dispute over television revenue with implications for the looming potential lockout.
U.S. District Judge David Doty ruled the league violated its agreement with the union in carving out $4 billion for itself in additional television revenue. The union argued the league was effectively stockpiling money to prepare for a lockout.
Overruling a special master, Doty ordered a hearing be held to determine damages for the players. That hearing wasn’t immediately scheduled. The union had asked that the TV money be placed in escrow until the end of any lockout.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello downplayed the significance of the ruling, saying that clubs were “prepared for any contingency. . . . Today’s ruling will have no effect on our efforts to negotiate a new, balanced labor agreement.”
He added the NFL had not determined whether it would appeal.
Meanwhile in Washington, the two sides met for six hours as the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement approached its 10 p.m. MST Thursday deadline.
“I don’t think you could have a greater sense of urgency,” Jeff Pash, the league’s lead labor negotiator, said. “We all know what the calendar is, and we all know what’s at stake for everybody.”
Afterward, neither the NFL nor the union would discuss whether they fared any better than they did during seven previous days of mediation.
Footnotes.
Shawn Lee, a defensive tackle on the Chargers’ only Super Bowl team, died Saturday of cardiac arrest brought on by double pneumonia. He was 44.
• Defensive lineman Marcus Stroud, released by the Bills last month, signed a two-year deal with the Patriots. Denver Post wire services
