Report: Separate Group of Players Wants to Intervene in Mediation

According to a report from Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal, a group of about 70 NFL players are close to signing with a law firm in order to give them a chance to intervene in the Brady antitrust case in which the players are looking for ruling from U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson that would put a preliminary injunction in place and block a lockout of the players by the NFL.

The group of players were described as “mid-tier” players who were not happy that negotiations broke down in Washington D.C. and the NFLPA* decided to file for decertification back in March. According to Kaplan’s report, this group will not contest the Brady vs. NFL case and simply want a seat at the table.

NFLPA*  representative Mike Vrabel gave his thoughts on the issue to NFL Network’s Albert Breer. “That’s why we’re here. That’s why Ben [Leber]  and I are here,” Vrable said. “We’re players here to represent players and De works for us. They do (have a seat). And if they’re unhappy with that seat, we have to vote in a new executive committee, and a new board of reps.”

It is expected soon that Judge Susan Nelson will give a ruling on if a preliminary injunction will be issued to lift the league’s lockout or not. Whatever the ruling is, it most certainly will result in an appeal from the losing side and both parties will then head to St. Louis.

With this report, it sounds as if a certain group of players is getting just as restless as some of the fans are with this process.