The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out a judge’s order lifting the NFL lockout, handing the league a key victory. The appellate court issued its decision today, even as the league and its locked-out players continue negotiations intended to strike a new collective bargaining agreement and start the 2011 season on time. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith arrived today to start a second straight day of negotiations at a law firm in Manhattan. On Thursday, negotiations between players and owners stretched on for more than 12 hours, deep into the evening. The first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 7, less than a month away. The appellate court ruled on an April 25 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who put the lockout on hold after players argued they were suffering irreparable harm. The appeals court put that order on hold, and its final decision said Nelson ignored federal law in reaching her decision.
Today’s poll question: Will the NFL lockout be resolved before training camps open by the end of the month?
