The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the NFL’s request for an expedited hearing regarding Judge Susan Nelson’s injunction ruling in favor of the players to end the lockout.
Judges Bye, Colloton, and Benton will begin hearing the appeal starting on June 3 in St. Louis.
The league’s appeal brief is due to the court by Monday, May 9. The players then have the right to reply by May 20. Following the players reply, the league must reply to the players statement by May 26.
The appeal hearing beginning on June 3 will include 30-minute oral arguments from both parties.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it typically takes approximately 30 to 45 days after an expedited appeal is heard by the court for a ruling to be released. If that is the case, a decision would not be released until early to mid July, right before training camps are set to open up across the league.
There is still no ruling on the league’s request for a permanent stay of execution while the appeal process is being conducted. Last Friday, the 8th Circuit of Appeals granted the NFL’s request for a temporary stay of execution. Judges Colloton and Benton ruled in favor of the stay, while Judge Bye ruled against it.
If the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals does NOT grant a stay of execution, a new league year could conceivably beginning almost immediately. However if the court rules in favor of the NFL, there will likely be no football activity of any kind until at least the middle of July.
A decision from the Eighth Circuit of Appeals on a permanent stay of execution is expected by Thursday evening.
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