PHILADELPHIA – University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor Stephen Burbank has been appointed special master to resolve designated disputes between the National Football League Management Council and the NFL Players Association. U.S. District Judge David S. Doty appointed Burbank upon the joint recommendation of the Management Council and Players Association, as provided in a 1993 consent decree resolving antitrust litigation and in the NFL collective bargaining agreement. As special master, Burbank has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce various provisions of the collective-bargaining agreement.

Burbank has extensive mediation and arbitration experience, primarily in connection with complex asbestos insurance disputes, and he is a sports fan, but this is his first time resolving disputes involving professional sports.

Among the matters Burbank may be called upon to decide are appeals from the NFL commissioner's disapproval of player contracts, alleged violations of provisions concerning guaranteed league-wide salary, salary cap and minimum team salary and claims of prohibited collusion.

Burbank had a fun introduction to the NFL Management Council and Players Association. He went to the Super Bowl in San Diego as their guest.

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