Eller Intervenors Ready to Sign Off on End to NFL Lockout With $1 Billion ‘Legacy Fund’

Earlier today on Twitter I speculated that the Carl Eller group of class-action plaintiffs – who are working to coordinate the interests of retired players with the collective bargaining between National Football League owners and players – could seek injunctive relief if they were not given a voice in the improvement of disability benefits.

The Associated Press is reporting that Eller and company have indeed been looped into the talks in some fashion. Eller is saying, “Our issues are very, very critical — very important — but they don’t really have much to do with whether the game goes on or not.” He told AP’s Barry Wilner that while “there’s still a lot more to be done” for former players, it can await resolution of the lockout.

The owners and active players are closing in on a provision close to $1 billion over the next ten years in additional benefits for retirees. More than half of that would be a boost in pensions; the rest, increases in long-term care and other disability programs.

The story is at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jj8kBRjkBJ6-n6_Aqn_yoFLbqY_Q?docId=ad8ad29495334097a487ef553c989cc7.

Irv Muchnick