NFL Lockout Ruling Goes In Favor Of Players

The NFL lockout ruling is in and it's a good one for the players. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Judge Susan Nelson has ruled in favor of the players lifting the NFL lockout.

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean this mess is over. The owners will appeal and seek a stay. NFL Network's Albert Breer reports Judge Nelson declined to grant a stay for the owners so the league will now seek that from the 8th Circuit Appellate Court.  

In English, the league wants to keep the lockout in place while they go through the appeals process. The NFLPA wants the NFL to open for business throughout the appeals process. 

If the NFL does get their stay, then the lockout will remain in place while the appeals process is going on. That process could take several weeks to several months so this is an important part of the immediate future of football.

If the NFL does not get their stay, then the league will open and things like free agency will begin. The NFL will have to decide what set of rules will be in place but many people expect them to simply implement the 2010 set of rules.

The bottom line is that Judge Susan Nelson has ruled in favor of the players so the burden is now on the league to prove to the 8th Circuit Appellate Court that the lockout is legal.

Stay with our NFL lockout StoryStream for more as it becomes available. The NFL and NFLPA are both expected to make statements shortly and we'll have reaction to the news throughout the day.