"Unveiling the NFL's Controversial Equity Rule: Beyond Raiders-Brady"
The NFL's new ban on owners giving equity to players and employees could potentially be a violation of collusion and antitrust laws. The rule, created to prevent an "arms race" of equity requests, may be challenged by the NFL Players Association as collusion and by non-players as an antitrust violation. The league's decision to unilaterally change the rules without bargaining with the union and preventing equity transfers to players could be seen as collusion. Additionally, the antitrust laws come into play as the NFL consists of 32 independent businesses, and some argue that owners should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding ownership distribution. The league seems willing to take its chances in court, given the significant financial stakes involved.