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View Full Version : PFT: Another reason to be leery about the lawyers


cowboyjoe
06-16-2011, 01:41 PM
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/16/another-reason-to-be-leery-about-the-lawyers/
Posted by Mike Florio on June 16, 2011, 12:22 PM EDT


As the lawyers have once again been kicked out of the meeting room after nearly undoing the progress that occurred without their involvement, there’s another reason that folks on both sides of the bargaining table should be leery of the true agendas of the men who are providing legal services not as full-time, one-client, Tom Hagan-style employees but as outside contractors with a variety of other clients, who may have sharply contrasting business interests.

It’s a point we first raised back in March 2008, after the NFL hired Bob Batterman (pictured) to assist with the ultimately meticulous lockout planning. In the initial report regarding the NFL’s retention of Batterman from SportsBusiness Journal, Liz Mullen and Daniel Kaplan pointed out that Batterman “has been representing the other three major American sports leagues in labor relations for years.”

Hostile
06-16-2011, 02:48 PM
Not so sure I agree with Florio on this. I've seen no evidence to suggest Kessler or Batterman want the NFL damaged so that other sports leagues benefit.

I think Kessler is an idiot due to his fanatical desire to litigate the Draft away, but I do believe he thinks it would help the NFL not hurt it.

I have no opinion on Batterman as I haven't even heard his named thrown around so far.

speedkilz88
06-16-2011, 03:04 PM
Yeah, I don't agree with his point either. I think it would make more sense if he said that Kessler has other sports unions to think about by pushing for litigaton and not wanting to compromise in negotiations. Because victories by the nflpa in court would help the other unions in the future. And the same for Batterman from the other sports leagues point of view if the nfl won in litigation or get an extremely one sided deal. And this may be the first time I've even heard Batterman's name, he doesn't seem to have a big role.