Appeals court backs NFL, lockout remains in place

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talks with the media outside the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service building March 11, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Rob Carr/Getty Images

The NFL has won another round in the court fight with its players.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday decided that the league's lockout of players should stay in place until a full appeal is heard on whether it is legal.

The 2-1 decision mirrored the panel's earlier decision granting a temporary stay -- including a lengthy dissent from the same judge.

The appellate court said it believed the NFL has proven it will "likely will suffer some degree of irreparable harm without a stay."

A June 3 hearing is scheduled to hear arguments on the legality of the lockout.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)