The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis has thrown out a judge’s order lifting the NFL lockout, handing the league a victory in a labor stoppage that has reached its 115th day.
The appellate court issued its decision Friday, even as the league and its locked-out players continue negotiations in New York toward a new collective bargaining agreement in hopes of starting the 2011 season on time. The first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 7.
The appellate court ruled on an April 25 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who ruled that the lockout was against federal law after players argued they were suffering irreparable harm. The 8th Circuit put that order on hold, and its ruling Friday said Nelson ignored federal law in reaching her decision.
Full Story: Order lifting NFL lockout thrown out