NHL Considers Lawsuit as Players Mull Disbanding Union

Don't expect to see hockey anytime soon

The National Hockey League pressed a legal case against the players union on Friday amid talk players would vote to disband the union as a tactic in the money dispute that has shut down the NHL.

Club owners filed a complaint against the players union in federal court and an unfair practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board after being told players would be asked to vote to "disclaim interest" in the union.

US anti-trust laws prevent locking out employees who do not belong to a union, but if they decertify the union, it allows players to file anti-trust lawsuits against owners, a potential major financial hit to the owners.