Chicago Hope: In Midst of Lockout NFL, NFLPA Hold Secretive Meetings

Could the NFL’s labor battle be chilling? It’s possible as two days of secretive meetings were held in Chicago on Weds and Thurs. continuing into the morning today. The meetings come just one day before a hearing in St. Louis in front of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding a lower court ruling that said the lockout should be lifted. The Eighth has since issued a strongly worded stay of that order, thus the lockout – now in its 79th day – continues. It is the longest work stoppage in NFL history. “The parties met pursuant to court mediation,” a joint statement by the NFL and NFLPA read. “Owners and players were engaged in confidential discussions before Chief Magistrate Judge Boylan. The court has ordered continued confidentiality of the mediation sessions.” According to Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the meeting was attended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith. Others in attendance included the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, the ...