ST. LOUIS, May 3 (UPI) -- The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday granted the NFL's request for an expedited appeal of an order instructing team owners to lift their lockout.
The panel, based in St. Louis, set a date of June 3 to hear oral arguments by NFL players who contend the lockout is illegal and is causing them irreparable harm, the NFL Network reported.
The three-judge appellate court has already granted team owners a temporary stay of an injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson ordering them to lift the lockout.
The appeal of Nelson's order will be heard by Judges Kermit Bye, Steven Colloton and William Duane Benton. Colloton and Benton, appointees of President George W. Bush, sided with team owners on the temporary stay, while Bye, appointed by President Bill Clinton, sided with the players, the broadcaster said.
A permanent stay of Nelson's injection would allow team owners to prevent players from working out at training camps. It would also rule out free-agent signings and trades until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
