Murphy tries to clear confusion

Posted by Mark Daniels on

Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy met reporters inside the unlocked Lambeau Field Atrium Tuesday afternoon.  Federal Judge Susan Nelson ruled this week for the players and their injunction to end the lockout, well into it's second month.   NFL owners immediately asked for that decision to be stayed and Judge Nelson is accepting written briefs from both sides by Wednesday night.  Murphy admits these are confusing times in the league.  He wasn't surprised the judge sided with the players based on some of her comments during the arguments in Minneapolis.  Murphy attended the proceedings and as a a member of the league's negotiating committee, also took part in the court ordered mediation that was put on hold until mid-May.   If the stay is denied, Murphy said the league will take the matter to the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis to first rule on the stay and if turned down, on the injunction itself.  Murphy's best guess is this process could take anywhere from four to eight more weeks.  Meanwhile, doors were open to players on Tuesday but Murphy said no Packers arrived at the facility.  Some teams didn't allow players to workout over insurance liability concerns.  Murphy said if the league is forced to open it's off-season operations, they'll likely do so under 2010 rules regarding free agency and salaries.  Murphy said one league lawyer said it's almost like unscrambling an egg and it's probably best to wait until the legal proceedings run their course.  A former union officer now working for the league, Murphy admits fans are not very happy with the players and owners right now and the best solution remains a negotiated collective bargaining agreement.  Good luck on that front Murph.

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