With another round of mediation talks this week failing to result in a new labor deal and a federal judge poised to rule within days on whether to lift the NFL's lockout, Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday blasted the legal strategy pursued by players as an impediment to striking a collective bargaining agreement. Goodell addressed that topic during a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY, expressing frustration with the uncertainty of the labor battle and concern about the impact on league economics and business partnerships. Judge Susan Nelson, who ordered the two sides to engage in mediation talks that ended Thursday, could issue a ruling early next week on the lockout -- while the league in limbo prepares to stage its signature offseason event, the three-day NFL Draft that begins on Thursday night in New York. "I don't think litigation is going to resolve this matter," Goodell told USA TODAY. "It's going to be resolved through negotiations and a broader collective bargaining agreement at the end of the day. I think it's a positive whenever you're negotiating, but clearly the litigation strategy that the union is pursuing is delaying some serious negotiations that really are going to lead to a collective bargaining agreement. That part of it is frustrating. I think valuable time is escaping us, that's putting financial risk and other risk in play. That's unfortunate for, most importantly, our fans, but also for our players and clubs." Source: USA Today
But your owners are saying there is still plenty of time! Pick a side Roger, plenty of time or not enough, you folks can't have both.
