NFL, NFLPA Issue Statements On David Doty's TV Contracts Ruling

After Judge David Doty made a major ruling in favor of the National Football League Players Association, the NFL and union both responded with statements. Here’s how the NFLPA chose to frame the finding that the NFL violated the collective bargaining agreement when it negotiated contracts with TV networks:

This ruling means there is irrefutable evidence that owners had a premeditated plan to lockout players and fans for more than two years. The players want to play football. That is the only goal we are focused on.

Villainy! The league responded to the ruling via spokesman Greg Aiello’s Twitter account:

As we have frequently said, our clubs are prepared for any contingency, this decision included. Today’s ruling will have no effect on our efforts to negotiate a new, balanced labor agreement.

That’s clubs, not owners, in a smartly worded release by the NFL. This war is far from over, but the league is saying it’s prepared to keep fighting despite having lost a battle in court.