Unable To Close Rift, NFL Players Decertify

WASHINGTON, DC (Sports Network) - Unable to settle their differences with NFL owners, the NFL Players Association opted to decertify on Friday, opening the door for antitrust lawsuits against the league.

In a statement, the union said it "renounced its status as the exclusive collective bargaining representative" of NFL players.

"The NFLPA will move forward as a professional trade association with the mission of supporting the interests and rights of current and former professional football players," the statement said.

The original collective bargaining agreement between the players and the league was set to expire last week, but the sides agreed to two extensions under the direction of federal mediator George Cohen, pushing the new deadline to Friday.