Per multiple reports, the NFL Players Association has refused to accept the final offer made by the owners, and has chosen to decertify. At this point, the owners cannot lock the players out, and the labor dispute will now be turned over to the court system.
Today was the final day in the second extension granted for both sides to try and negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, but that obviously did not happen.
The Bears have announced that, unlike many other NFL teams, they will not have layoffs or reduced hours for their employees, and will only take those steps should actual games be lost. In other words, if litigation can create the opportunity for regular season football to be played next year, our employees are safe.
To court we go...