NFL Lockout Cease and Desist Ruling Upheld

Throughout this whole offseason, something has just not seemed right. The NFL has been operating like a child pretending he didn't notice the broken lamp until his parents ask what happened, ignoring the elephant in the room and going on as if nothing was wrong.

Less than 12 hours before the start of this year's NFL draft however, that feeling is now more akin to the musicians on the Titanic, playing their music despite an obviously sinking ship.

The only difference between the NFL owners and the musicians though, is the musicians were aware of the danger and resigned to their fate.

With no Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), no NFL Players Association and an owner-initiated lockout in place, the NFL has otherwise continued going through the motions as if everything was perfectly normal. Schedules have been released, franchise tags issued and draft preparations made.

Months ago, the NFL's publicists should have just started saying, "Move along. Nothing to see here."

After the last few days however, the NFL's ship is no longer just floundering. First, U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson ordered an end to the player lockout on Monday. Then, she denied the NFL's request for a stay of execution, forcing the league to open its doors and resume interactions with their players immediately.

The ship has turned completely on its end, and it's time for the NFL to face the reality of the situation.

Yes, this will all get worked out eventually. There is way too much money to be made for both parties. However, things for the NFL could get much worse before they get better, and tonight's festivities are just the beginning.

With no CBA in place, the draft is a system agreed upon by the teams which limits a rookie's ability to negotiate for the best possible contract—a clear violation of anti-trust laws. If the NFL continues with tonight's draft without a CBA, it could be opening itself to considerably more litigation.

The NFL could postpone the draft, but there are considerable second- and third-order effects that come into play. The NFL draft has grown into the biggest offseason event for any sport, not just football.

Pulling the plug hours before the big event would be full admission of trouble in paradise and would be the first real time fans are impacted by the NFL's contract dispute with their players.

And that's where the real hurt begins for both groups. Major League Baseball suffered following their strike in 1994-95. In fact, it took the home run race of 1998 between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire to restore baseball to some of its former glory, not to mention profitability.

NFL popularity has only continued to escalate in the last decade. Super Bowls draw larger viewing audiences than any other event in the year. And when you start televising the NFL Combine, where players run the 40-yard dash, lift weights and see how high they can jump, you have unprecedented interest in your sport.

That could all very soon be in jeopardy if an agreement can't be made soon.