McNeil and Football's Antitrust Ouagmire

Abstract

Editor's Note—This analysis of the antitrust developments in professional football was originally framed in mid-October, approximately one month after the McNeil decision. At that time, Paul Staudohar ventured some educated guesses about what would eventually happen because of the case. In the midst of this issuegoing to press, it became increasingly likely that the NFL owners and players would reach some agreement. That agreement came on January 6, 1993. The next day, Staudohar updated the manuscript with a "Post-Agreement Comment." The original manuscript was edited to reflect an awareness that the agreement had been reached, but the original manuscript was left largely intact to give readers a flavor of Staudohar's initial thinking as well as a deeper appreciation of the events leading to the agreement. The editor takes full responsibility for any clumsiness that has resulted from updating the manuscript in this way.