Players file opposition to league request for a stay

Updated 3:07 ET

The players filed their opposition Wednesday morning to the league's request for a stay following Judge Susan Nelson's decision to enjoin the lockout late Monday. The judge has given the league until 4:00 CT to file a response to the players' opposition along with filing their own clarification request.

According to NFL Network's Albert Breer, the 23-page filing included a request for $1 billion bond if a stay is granted, which is 25 percent of what players were compensated last year. This is the NFLPA's estimation of damages that would occur in a stay.

The players argued that the NFL should "implement a new player system that does not violate antitrust laws."

They also pointed out the league's inability to prove an appeal would succeed and that a stay is not in the public's interest.

The filing claimed owners are prepared to resume the league year, referencing the restricted free-agent tenders handed out just before last season officially ended.

The league filed its motion Monday night asking for a stay, which would keep the lockout intact while the injunction goes through the appeals process. Judge Nelson could reject the stay and compel the owners to open league operations, reject the stay and send it to an appellate court, or grant the stay.

Many teams and players were caught up in confusion on Tuesday with a lack of clarity on whether or not they could make use of team facilities.

The way we see it

The strongest part of the players' argument comes when they claim a stay is not in the public's interest, pointing out the wide-ranging impact the case has. There's a good chance Nelson makes her decision late Wednesday, and the potential of the league year beginning at the onset of the NFL draft could spark chaos and confusion. But it would be a step in the direction of the league starting on time.

The one big question in the players' motion is the type of player system they hope the NFL would implement. By saying the system should "not violate antitrust laws," do they mean one without a draft and one that allows each player to sell his services? Or simply a return to the 2010 rules?

Regardless, we will find out a lot more in the next 24-48 hours.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/27/players-file-opposition-to-league-request-for-a-st

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