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08:05 AM ET 04.21 | While the labor dispute rolls on, there may be light at the end of the tunnel for fans. As many as 70 "mid-tier" NFL players have committed to working with a law firm to demand a seat at the NFL lockout negotiating table, according to the Sports Business Journal. The players reportedly don't feel their interests are being properly represented by the current NFL Players Association leadership. It's the first sign of a possible rift inside the player's association and thus a potentially significant development in a labor battle which, until now, was defined mostly by unity on each side. Who cracks first often determines winners and losers in these battles and this may be the start.

Drew Brees, Getty Images

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April 21, 2011 08:12 AM ET

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Uh Oh...

The owners have to be licking their chops at this little tidbit.

Otis B. Driftwood

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April 21, 2011 08:15 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:12 AM ET 04.21 by Otis B. Driftwood

Uh Oh... The owners have to be licking their chops at this little tidbit.

i think the owners should start looking into scrubs...bring them into the meetings and introduce them to what used to be nfl players

uncle teabags

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April 21, 2011 08:21 AM ET

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I have no sympathy for either side at this point.

Buckeye Ryan

Saint Petersburg , FL

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April 21, 2011 08:23 AM ET

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What about the bottom tier players? Like the Panthers?

Wawa-we-wa

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April 21, 2011 08:25 AM ET

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We know Abe Lincoln was honest, woodchucks chuck wood, and it takes two to tango.

Neither the owners nor the NFLPA even wanted to dance. Getting somebody in there who is willing to negotiate and who understands that the clock is ticking should be a priority. The high-priced guys already have enough in the bank to retire, if need be, but the mid-level guys don't want a lockout. Their careers are short, and if they don't want to spend the rest of their lives selling insurance to pay the rent, they need game checks and they need to invest them wisely.

Oddly, the dingbats who spent half their rookie salaries on bling are now rejoicing with the price of gold hitting $1500 an ounce yesterday.

Debbie Does

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April 21, 2011 08:30 AM ET

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Crack heard around the league!

COUNT DOOKU

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April 21, 2011 08:35 AM ET

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Why is the NFLPA representing players at these "talks"? The players decertified the union I thought and why do they now have any standing in these talks? If I was the NFL, I'd put my best offer on the table and let individual players sign or not sign. This whole mess is despicable and both sides are ridiculous. No increase in the schedule. Improve medical care for retired players and let's get past all this trash.

Slapshot

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April 21, 2011 08:36 AM ET

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I love the smell of a fresh lawsuit in the morning...

no friend of mine

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April 21, 2011 08:39 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 08:36 AM ET 04.21 by no friend of mine

I love the smell of a fresh lawsuit in the morning...

Is that what that was? I wasn't going to say anything!

COUNT DOOKU

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April 21, 2011 08:39 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:30 AM ET 04.21 by COUNT DOOKU

Crack heard around the league!

Say NO to crack!

Debbie Does

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April 21, 2011 08:40 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:15 AM ET 04.21 by uncle teabags

i think the owners should start looking into scrubs...bring them into the meetings and introduce them to what used to be nfl players

... and then what?

We've seen that before in 1987.

The "scab" games were televised and fans attended the games.

It certainly put pressure on the players to return because receiving continued T.V. exposure helped the NFL avoid some severe financial losses.

Also, guys like Lawrence Taylor and other "regulars" returned, and that spelled doom for the strikes continuance.

brotha68

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April 21, 2011 08:41 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:21 AM ET 04.21 by Buckeye Ryan

I have no sympathy for either side at this point.

Nor should you.

brotha68

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April 21, 2011 08:43 AM ET

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You can't make this kind of stuff up...It's the gift that keeps on giving...

no friend of mine

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Comment #15 has been removed

April 21, 2011 08:55 AM ET

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QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 08:47 AM ET 04.21 by Why So Serious?

If this is true, this does not surpise me at all. A lot of these players (and this is just my guess and opinion) live way beyone there means and with no checks coming in....

You mean they can't afford that 5 million dollar house on 1 million dollar salary...GTFOOH...

no friend of mine

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April 21, 2011 09:02 AM ET

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Lets add it up. 70 players that's probably works out to about a 6 lawyer team. Of course throw in a dozen or two paralegals, a couple copy boys and the file clerks. ought to run them somewhere around $6-8 thousand an hour. String this thing out about 12 -16 weeks. They are going to have to go back to work, they'll all be broke.