Decertification: What the “Nuclear Option” Means for NFL Labor Negotiations

March 11, 2011   ·   Mike Haas   ·   Jump to comments

At 5 p.m. on Friday evening, the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL's owners and the league's players' association expired after a week of extended negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
Shortly thereafter, NFLPA boss DeMaurice Smith announced that the union would exercise its right to decertify, thereby removing the organization's standing as the players' sole bargaining representative.
But what does that mean for labor negotiations?
Decertification was largely considered the NFLPA's biggest bargaining chip, but its implications are complicated.
Most importantly, the NFLPA will not cease to exist. It will remain a trade association charged with protecting the players' best interests, conducting internal business, and dealing with the media.
It would not be allowed to negotiate with the owners on all the players' behalf.
However, decertification does open the door for the players to file an antitrust lawsuit against the owners, whic...

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