I'm an attorney, but have very little experience with either anti-trust or labor issues. Thinking through this I find I know enough to ask some important questions that I haven't seen addressed, but do not know the answers to them. So here are some questions I'd really like to hear answered:

(1) Now that the NFLPA has decertified, is it still possible for the players and owners to make a deal?

(2) Without a union to deal with, can the owners establish a set of rules and use them until and unless a court rules that they violate anti-trust law? Like any other non-union company does.

(3) Can the NFL lock out the players without a union? If so, what would be the advantage of doing so?

(4) How fast are the courts in dealing with big labor disputes? More particularly, is there "irreparable harm" from playing under an illegal system that allows the courts to address this as a preliminary injunction?

Anyone have answers? Either from articles, interviews, or legal experience?