The NFL is not on its own when it comes to labor relations; all business is under some regulations. Additionally, the NFL is a professional association with for-profit ball clubs or whatever they call them. They could even have a tax exempt status if they hadn't given it up for PR reasons. That's important--PR is the lifeblood of the NFL, which is why the NFL is not likely to get nasty with the players and why the players' move makes good sense. Your "ridiculous" assessment is overly simplistic.