To no one's surprise, the NFL is sending in its "A-team" in the St. Louis breach of contract lawsuit over the relocation of the Rams to Los Angeles.
The Washington-based law firm of Covington & Burling will represent the NFL and 31 of its 32 teams, according to sources familiar with the case.
The exception is the Rams, who are represented by Kirkland & Ellis, also a nationally-prominent law firm but headquartered in Chicago.
The NFL has had a longstanding relationship with Covington & Burling. Paul Tagliabue worked for the firm prior to becoming NFL commissioner in 1989, and returned there as senior counsel following his retirement from the league in 2006.