NFL vs. NFLPA: Who Should Fans Side with in Collusion Charges?

Another major legal battle between the NFL and NFLPA, and yet another time for fans to choose sides. 

The NFLPA is suing the league for $3 billion on collusion charges. The NFL handed down severe penalties to the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, the two most valuable franchises in football, for "overspending" in an uncapped year. 

Not much logic in that sentence. 

Here is a snippet from the NFLPA's claim: 

"

This proceeding arises from a conspiracy. Pursuant to the White SSA, the NFL and
the Owners explicitly agreed that the 2010 season would not be subject to a salary cap and that they would not engage in any prohibited collusion or circumvention of the SSA.

"

While $3 billion dollars seems excessive, the player's association is suing based on money the other 30 clubs, minus the Cowboys and Redskins, could have spent during 2010. Still, this one's easy—fans should side with the NFLPA. 

It has every right to sue the league following these rather ridiculous penalties that stemmed from something it agreed upon with the NFL prior to the 2010 season.

New York Giants owner and chairman of the NFL Management Council Executive Committee made this baseless claim that all but wraps up this discussion for me: (h/t ESPNDallas.com) 

"

"I thought the penalties imposed were proper. What they did was in violation of the spirit of the salary cap. They attempted to take advantage of a one-year loophole, and quite frankly, I think they're lucky they didn't lose draft picks. They attempted to take advantage of it knowing full well there would be consequences."

"

The "spirit of the salary cap"—what does that really mean? 

How were the Redskins and Cowboys to "know full well there would be consequences" when they were spending more money during an uncapped year. 

The year was uncapped. 

That's the end of it. 

I've noticed that many people like to compare the NFL to a normal place of employment, but it's not. 

The CBA allows an otherwise illegal league to operate under federal law. The NFL is now going against the CBA by artificially instituting a salary cap during a year in which it was agreed that there would not be one. 

You may have been on the side of the NFL during the lockout last summer, but you have to be with the NFLPA on this matter. 

I'm not much for reneging on a deal, are you?

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