The big lock-out news from yesterday was a decision handed down by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In it, the court overturned a U.S. District Court’s ruling to lift the lock-out. It wasn’t exactly a landmark ruling. Basically, it means absolutely nothing. For one, there was already a stay on the lock-out anyway. Secondly, very few thought that this lawsuit would see the light of day in the first place. It’s mostly a formality. Hopefully, the new CBA will be agreed upon at the negotiation table, not in a court room. Of course, if De Smith and Roger Goodell were to start throwing hay-makers at each other today and the negotiations broke down, this court decision might end up actually meaning something. (more…)