Apr 21, 9:12 PM EDT
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The NFL has rejected a law firm's request for a conflict-of-interest waiver to represent a group of players seeking to join the antitrust fight against the league.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday the league notified the firm of the denial. The firm later was identified as Barnes & Thornburg of Indianapolis.
Aiello said it would be inappropriate to allow the firm to work with players in a claim against the NFL while one of its partners represents the league in music licensing for shows on NFL Network and NFL Films.
"While we do not know the specifics of the claims that would be asserted or the players who would be involved, we cannot consent to the firm's request to grant a waiver," Aiello said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Cafferty Faucher attorney Bryan Clobes has said his firm had "discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice" in the court fight. But Clobes said Thursday that the firm the NFL is referring to is not Cafferty Faucher, and stated that his firm has not represented the NFL in any matters.
