The Potential NFL Lockout and a Failing Mediation
Peter King, of CNN/SI, does his usual great job of summing up the state of NFL Labor Negotiations in his latest column.
According to King, the negotiations are not really progressing that well and a lockout may be inevitable.
Of note, though, is a quote from the labor mediator, George Cohen, that is mentioned by King. Cohen wants the parties to take the weekend and “assess their current positions on those outstanding issues [where the parties are far apart].”
Having been through countless mediations, this statement suggests that the mediator wants some movement, direction and bottom lines from the NFL and the Union. The May 3rd lockout may be a false deadline to kill the season but Mr. Cohen now has invested 45 hours into this mediation and wants some progress and results for his efforts.
I would not expect Cohen simply to continue to participate in mediation where the true goal of the NFL or the Union is for a work stoppage followed by a long starring contest. If the NFL and Union want to play this out until August, that is their right but they cannot expect a federal mediator to go along for the ride without any progress along the way.
If on Tuesday, Cohen does not see any progress or hear any meaningful “bottom lines” from the NFL and the Union, then the mediation may have hit the final 2 minute warning.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.