NFL, NFLPA Agree to Indefinite Pause in Collusion Litigation

Following a January 14, 2025 arbitration ruling in a collusion case involving the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA), both parties agreed to pause litigation indefinitely. This pause was part of a confidentiality agreement concealing details of the ruling, which found no sufficient evidence of collusion by team owners but did reveal that league executives urged owners to limit guaranteed player compensation. The ruling was kept secret from most players and only shared with select lawyers and executives, leading to surprise and frustration among players once details emerged. After these revelations, the NFLPA, led by executive director Lloyd Howell Jr., decided to appeal the ruling despite the formal 10-day deadline having passed, likely due to the paused litigation agreement resetting the timeline. The appeal process will now proceed before a three-member appeals panel, which will either uphold or overturn the original ruling. Both the NFL and NFLPA have declined to comment further on the timing and specifics of the appeal decision.