Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL has rejected a law firm's request for a conflict-of-interest waiver to represent a group of "midtier" players seeking to join the antitrust fight against the league.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday that it would be inappropriate to let the firm, which he declined to identify, work with players in a claim against the NFL while one of its partners represents the league in music licensing for shows on NFL Network and NFL Films.
Bryan Clobes, a lawyer for Philadelphia-based Cafferty Faucher, previously said his firm had "discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice" in the case. But he said Thursday that the firm the NFL is referring to is not his.
The Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday that a group of about 70 "midtier" players, upset that talks broke off last month, was considering hiring a law firm to get a seat at the mediation table, But Clobes said the number is "nowhere near 70" and the discussions did not indicate dissatisfaction with the representation for the 10 players listed as plaintiffs in an antitrust lawsuit filed March 11 that sought to end the lockout.
Different rules for Commish? Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco received a phone call from Roger Goodell, which resulted in a one-hour conversation. Teams reportedly were told not to have any contact with players during the lockout, but that apparently doesn't apply to the commissioner. Spokesman Aiello told profootballtalk.com that "normal social interaction" is permissible, both for Goodell and for the teams. When asked if that's a slippery slope, Aiello said, "Life is a slippery slope."
Packers: Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly pleaded guilty to a 2008 charge of possessing at least 200 grams of codeine and received probation.
Draft: Retired players will announce each second-round pick. John Lynch will announce the Bucs' pick while another former Buc, Doug Williams, will announce the Redskins' pick.
Obituary: Lynn Chandnois, a special teams star for the Steelers in the 1950s, died Tuesday in Flint, Mich. He was 86.