In the wake of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granting the NFL a permanent stay during its appeal of the lower court ruling lifting the NFL Lockout, both sides have issued statements.
From NFL Lockout, here they are:
NFLPA Statement On Stay
“The NFL’s request for a stay of the lockout that was granted today means no football. The players are in mediation and are working to try to save the 2011 season. The court will hear the full appeal on June 3.”
NFL statement on stay granted by Eighth Circuit:“It is now time to devote all of our energy to reaching a comprehensive agreement that will improve the game for the benefit of current and retired players, teams, and, most importantly, the fans. This litigation has taken the parties away from the negotiating table where these issues should be resolved. We remain confident that the appellate court will determine that this is a labor dispute that should be governed by federal labor law. But the league and players, without further delay, should control their own destiny and decide the future of the NFL together through negotiation.”