NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith confident lawsuit against league will hold up in court
National Football League (NFL) and the players union NFL Players Association (NFLPA) are locked in another legal battle after the union went to court on Wednesday over claims that NFL teams colluded to implement a secret salary cap in the 2010 season which
was supposed to be an uncapped year.
The NFLPA’s lawsuit filed with a district court in Minnesota claims that the franchises decided to implement a secret salary cap of $ 123 million in 2010 which had cost players as much as $ 1 billion in lost salaries.
NFL spokesman, Greg Aiello dismissed the claims immediately and said that they expect the union’s lawsuit to be dismissed immediately.
However, NFLPA executive director, DeMaurice Smith has no doubts that the NFLPA’s lawsuit will stand in court.
Speaking to the media on Thursday he said.
"When we feel those rules are violated, we will, on behalf of our players, always act in their best interest,"
Adding further he said.
"Cartels do what cartels will do when left unchecked. The facts justify the complaint."
The NFL argues that the lawsuit violates the collective bargaining agreement that came into effect in 2011.
Citing a rule from the current CBA, the league argues that union leaders cannot file a lawsuit over events that took place before 2011.
Smith though has an answer to that challenge as well.
"It doesn't sound like you're denying the existence of collusion, does it?"
He also went on to say.
"The 32 teams are defendants of the action right now. If there is evidence that is developed later on that would demonstrate that any one of those teams did not abide by the conspiracy, then my guess is those teams will make the appropriate assertions, and
we'll see where we end up."
The union filed its complaints after grievances brought forth by Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys over the reduction in their salary caps was dismissed by NFL owners.
The Redskins were hit with a $ 36 million cap reduction while the Cowboys lost $ 10 million after the league accused them of overspending during the uncapped year.
More developments on the lawsuit are expected in the coming days.
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