Roger Goodell Eager To Relaunch Mediation

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is eager to relaunch mediation and collective bargaining agreement talks with the players' union. The NFL Players Association has decertified, filed an antitrust lawsuit in federal court in Minnesota and the owners have locked out the players. Goodell had a fast response tonight during an NFL Network interview when asked about how rapidly he would return to the bargaining table if the players' union wanted to get back to talks. "I couldn’t get off this show fast enough to get to the mediation,†Goodell said. “We didn’t push away from the table. We were still at the table when they walked out of mediation. For us to get back to mediation, you call me, I’ll be there. It’s a decision the mediator would have to make. But we would certainly be there, and I expect we will be there.†Goodell acknowledged that there hasn't been much dialogue since this labor dispute entered the litigation phase. There's an April 6 hearing for the players' motion for an injunction to end the lockout. “There’s unfortunately been very limited contact,†Goodell said. “That litigation strategy is ongoing. That will have to play out for the next couple weeks, but I’ve said repeatedly that this will come back to negotiations and the sooner that happens, the sooner we’ll all get this resolved.â€

Source: National Football Post

 

there is nothing that can be done until a ruling has been made on April 6th.

 

It all just really sucks. :icon_sad:

 

Goodell must have realized how tough it is going to be for him only making one dollar this year.

 

Nothing says they can't get back together and negotiate before then...I don't think they will, but it's not like the negotiations are closed...it's just that nothing has been scheduled.

 

The players have hitched their ride to litigation, there is NO way any talks will happen.

 

Right. But there's nothing to say they can't other than they wouldn't want to.

 

or being advised not to. it's a moot point though. It's like saying They could or could not talk, ugh, what else is there? hence, pointless to state.

 

Basically a response to the untrue statement: "there is nothing that can be done until a ruling has been made on April 6th."

I think we both agree nothing will happen.

 

Nothing will happen, something should happen, blah blah. At this point, the longer it goes on, it seems to me the more people get fed up with this bullcrap and stop caring about the NFL. It's not going to be any of us on this board, but plenty of fickle fans will just substitute whatever.

 

Agree Snowman. People will find other places to spend their time and money...even if it is just for a short time.

It's not like the owners want to hurry to the table either. The longer there's no OTA's/offseason, the more money they save. Less time the players are in the building, the less people the owners have to pay...more money for the owners.