With an NFL lockout on the horizon, barring a last-second extension, the NFLPA will reportedly decertify in an effort to take the battle to the courts. The union is expected to file at least one lawsuit, and an injunction in an effort to prevent a work-stoppage, following any action taken by the owners. And what better way to make a splash in the courts than to have three of the NFL’s biggest stars — Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady — lead a potential antitrust suit?
According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Jim Trotter, if the NFLPA decides to file an antitrust lawsuit, Brady, Brees and Manning will the the lead plaintiffs in the case.
SOURCE TO SI: If union decertifies & is locked out, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady & Drew Brees will be lead plantiffs in antitrust lawsuit v NFL
While a lawsuit is a few steps of where we’re at in the process, it’s coming up quickly if an agreement cannot be reached in the near future. The NFLPA must decertify ahead of the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, either by the close of business on Thursday or before an extended deadline passes.
An antitrust lawsuit would be the biggest challenge to the NFL in the league’s history and could change the way it operates, if successful. Currently, the league operates in uncharted waters as nobody has seriously gone after it with antitrust litigation. If the NFLPA decertifies, that litigation is the logical next step, and has been expected since word the union may cease to exist came down.
For the latest on the negotiations, check out the rest of our NFL lockout StoryStream.