Newswise — SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Ron Washburn, who teaches the popular course “Sports and the Law” at Bryant University, says that football fans should blame both the NFL as well as the players should a lockout occur March 4.
“The players association is working vigorously to garner public sympathy through their NFLLockout.com site,” said Washburn, who is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. “They are also pushing for teams to open their books in order to determine what is ‘fair’ with respect to profit sharing. Teams don't want to, but they really can't talk profits and losses without doing so.” He also notes that the NFL Players Association may decertify as a union in order to either sue the owners or be sued by them under antitrust laws. “This could be a huge publicity stunt,” he says. “To that end, I think both parties are to blame,” notes Washburn. “Good faith negotiations would produce a mutually good deal.”
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