| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2000 |
|
|
ARENA FOOTBALL TEAMS AVOIDING LEGAL LIABILITY The Arena Football League has accused the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) of contributing to the cancellation of the arena football season. These accusations are patently false and misleading. The owners have canceled the season in an unlawful attempt to avoid their legal liability under federal antitrust laws. The league is using the UFCW as a scapegoat to cover their irresponsible actions that will harm Arena Football players and Arena Football fans. The unusual circumstance of professional sports provides professional athletes with greater protection under federal anti-trust laws than under the National Labor Relations Act. Arena Football players have formed the Arena Football League Players Association (AFLPA) and determined that their interests were best met by pursuing antitrust litigtion. The UFCW does not represent, nor is the union seeking to represent, Arena Football players. The antitrust lawsuit seeks redress for unlawful practices by the Arena Football teams that prevent free-market competition for players' services. The team owners are attempting to coerce players into collective bargaining in an unlawful attempt to obtain an exemption from federal antitrust laws and avoid their legal liability under those laws. By attempting to cancel the season, the league appears to be admitting guilt in the antitrust suit by seeking to prevent litigation on the subject. If the owners had not behaved unlawfully, they would have nothing to fear from an antitrust lawsuit. The players charge that the owners are illegally conspiring to suppress wages. The UFCW does not represent Arena Football players for purposes of collective bargaining. The union does not wish to represent the players now or in the future. The union, in conjunction with the National Football League Players Association, is supporting the players and assisting them with exercising their rights under the law. -30- |
|
 |
 |
