CowboyStar88
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 23,336
- Reaction score
- 25,818
The courts may still disagree in order to protect the institution of collective bargaining, but whenever you negotiate a CBA - whether its pro sports or a steelworkers union - both parties or their representatives are expected to and presumed to negotiate in good faith.
In short, this means that despite the NFLPA "signing away rights," there's a rebuttable presumption that they "signed them away" under a good faith expectation that Goodell/the NFL would execute the powers fairly and in the spirit of the negotiations themselves in the agreement.
This allows for negotiations to be speedy and efficient, rather than the need to negotiate and "codify" every single bit of minutae in something like a CBA.
Additionally, the doctrine of fundamental fairness is another Constitutional Law principle that's applied or invoked for judicial procedure. Courts, oftentimes, like to point to constitutional law principles/doctrines in order to help make determinations on things like contract negotiations and yes, collective bargaining agreements (essentially, contracts).
In sum, the NFLPA gave Goodell disciplinary powers in good faith, trusting Goodell to act with fundamental fairness. Goodell and the league - in trying to railroad players or conspire against players - are, as the Judge in this case seemed to indicate, acting in a manner that is flatly unfair. If they're acting unfairly, then the NFLPA can argue that but for their assumption of good faith on the part of the league, they never would have entered into a bogus CBA or would have ensured they negotiated it differently -- essentially ask the court to use case law to fill in the blanks for fairness with respect to the disciplinary proceeding.
That wasn't short...but I hope that answers it? This is, of course, just one lawyer's interpretation and someone else will certainly have a different opinion.
No that was very clear. Thank you!