Anderson et al v. National Football League Management Council et al

Filing 27

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE CASES SHOULD NOT BE CONSOLIDATED Show Cause Response due by 2/27/2013.. Signed by Judge Alsup on 2/25/2013. (whalc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/25/2013)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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Plaintiffs,
v.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, et al.,

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Defendants.
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No. C 12-06415 WHA
AARON SCHOBEL, et al.
Plaintiffs,

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No. C 12-06386 WHA

COURTNEY ANDERSON, et al.,

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For the Northern District of California

United States District Court

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY
THE CASES SHOULD NOT
BE CONSOLIDATED

v.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, et al.,
Defendants.
/

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By order dated February 22, the above-captioned actions were related and assigned to the

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undersigned judge. Plaintiffs in both actions are former National Football League players who

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filed suit to vacate an arbitration award in favor of defendants National Football League

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Management Council, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Philadelphia

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Eagles. The parties participated in a consolidated arbitration before Arbitrator Michael Beck,

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who issued one award on December 12, 2012. Defendants have filed a motion to consolidate the

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two actions for all purposes pursuant to Rule 42(a). The two complaints were filed on the same
day and appear to be nearly identical copies of each other, albeit brought by different plaintiffs.

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Defendants assert that plaintiffs do not oppose consolidation, but have not submitted any

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evidence in support of this statement.

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Given the similarity of the two complaints, the Court is inclined to grant defendants’

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motion for consolidation for all purposes. Plaintiffs are hereby ordered to respond to the motion

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stating whether or not they oppose consolidation and, if they oppose, their reasons therefor.

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Plaintiffs’ response(s) are due by FEBRUARY 27 AT NOON.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: February 25, 2013.

WILLIAM ALSUP
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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For the Northern District of California

United States District Court

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