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Report: NFLPA exploring legal options for fighting new anthem policy

Matthew Emmons / Reuters/USA TODAY Sports

It appears the NFLPA is preparing for a legal battle with the NFL over its new anthem policy.

The NFLPA has hired multiple law firms to begin researching potential avenues to fight the league's policy, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Florio suggests the players' association could challenge in the form of a non-injury grievance under the collective bargaining agreement. In this case, the argument would center around the league's failure to engage in good-faith bargaining with the union before altering the policy and removing a right it had previously given to players. The deadline for filing such a grievance would be in late July.

Related: NFLPA director rips anthem policy for trying to 'exert control' over players

The NFL's new policy, altered last month, requires any objecting player to remain in the locker room. Teams would be subject to fines if their players protest on the sidelines during the anthem.

A number of players have spoken out against the new rules, with some considering different on-field gestures prior to games.

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