Union pushes back for Saints players

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has filed a grievance against the suspensions imposed by Commissioner Goodell. The union makes a procedural argument and a technical immunity argument. The union claims the discipline imposed by Goodell is outside his authority and that under the Collective Bargaining Agreement discipline of players can only be imposed by the System Arbitrator, not Goodell. The second argument relates to a provision of the new CBA that released players for conduct engaged in prior to its effective date (August 4, 2011). Of note, this is a challenge by the NFLPA, not the players, who have not yet appealed.