09-01-2018, 12:21 AM
Yesterday, the arbitrator hearing Kaepernick’s grievance dismissed the N.F.L.’s bid to throw out the case. The judge determined that Kaepernick’s lawyers had unearthed enough credible evidence during the first stages of discovery to allow the case to go forward.
Snip:
A case that was originally about Kaepernick’s skills has turned into something much larger: a referendum on his politics, free speech and even his legacy. N.F.L. teams have signed players who have beaten their spouses and run operations that killed dogs for sport, but protesting during the national anthem may prove to be the unforgivable sin, it seems.
This sets the stage for owners and league executives to be questioned in a trial-like setting. Kaepernick faces an uphill legal battle, but even proceeding to a full hearing amounts to a victory because it allows his lawyers to continue to search for evidence of collusion, while keeping Kaepernick’s name in the news during the N.F.L. season, when attention on football is at its peak.
The league has been desperately trying to extinguish the continuing protests — which are an attempt to raise awareness about police brutality and economic inequality — and the fiery debate they have sparked. But the case is expected to drag on for months, so the league could reach a deal to pay Kaepernick damages equal to twice what he might have made if he were still playing.
In a normal case, Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since 2016, might decide he has won enough already, agree to a settlement, walk away with millions of dollars and move on with his life. Or some team in a progressive city could just put Kaepernick on a roster for the season, which could take a lot of steam out of his complaints.
This, however, is not a normal case. Both sides appear to be fighting over principle rather than dollars.
Full story: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/sport...e=Homepage
Snip:
A case that was originally about Kaepernick’s skills has turned into something much larger: a referendum on his politics, free speech and even his legacy. N.F.L. teams have signed players who have beaten their spouses and run operations that killed dogs for sport, but protesting during the national anthem may prove to be the unforgivable sin, it seems.
This sets the stage for owners and league executives to be questioned in a trial-like setting. Kaepernick faces an uphill legal battle, but even proceeding to a full hearing amounts to a victory because it allows his lawyers to continue to search for evidence of collusion, while keeping Kaepernick’s name in the news during the N.F.L. season, when attention on football is at its peak.
The league has been desperately trying to extinguish the continuing protests — which are an attempt to raise awareness about police brutality and economic inequality — and the fiery debate they have sparked. But the case is expected to drag on for months, so the league could reach a deal to pay Kaepernick damages equal to twice what he might have made if he were still playing.
In a normal case, Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since 2016, might decide he has won enough already, agree to a settlement, walk away with millions of dollars and move on with his life. Or some team in a progressive city could just put Kaepernick on a roster for the season, which could take a lot of steam out of his complaints.
This, however, is not a normal case. Both sides appear to be fighting over principle rather than dollars.
Full story: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/sport...e=Homepage