I still don't know what to think about the NFL vs. the NFLPA's maneuvering or whether the NFLPA should have filed in MA instead of MN in the first place, but that's now water under the bridge, so arguing about any of that (one way or the other!) anymore is a waste of time.
But I am pretty sure that a Labor Union couldn't do much better than Judge Berman:
- AA to Jacob Javits, one of the most Progressive Senators of his era.
- Appointed to the Bench for the Southern District of New York by Bill Clinton.
- JD from NYU, a liberal hotbed "back in the day" when campuses were burning.
- Got an MSW in addition to his JD (hardly the profile of a corporate tool).
- Studied International Law in Stockholm (not a hotbed of reactionaries).
- My guess is that this is a guy who has developed decades of disdain for weasels like Wells and who speaks the same language (in more ways than one) as a guy like Kessler. Living in New York for over 25 years, I've learned that when the going gets tough in this city, never underestimate the importance of the common bonds of guys like a Berman and a Kessler. Goodell and Wells are guys from the white glove part of town.
I'm not saying that he's going to find against the NFL, since 75% of Motions to uphold the results of an Arbitration are, according to media sources this morning, upheld. But I think I'd rather take my chances with a judge like Berman than role the dice on someone else.