Mackey v. National Football League (Part I)

John Mackey and other professional football players (plaintiffs) sued the NFL (defendant) over its "Rozelle Rule," which let a player become a free agent after completing his contract and an additional option year at reduced salary, but required the signing team to compensate the player's former team with players or draft picks - with the Commissioner given final say if the teams could not agree; the district court found the Rule a per se Sherman Act violation and issued an injunction, and the NFL appealed.