A federal judge gave approval Wednesday to a lawsuit that has the potential to award nearly $1 billion to former National Football League players affected by concussions.
The league expressed delight — despite some player disgruntlement — that the 65-year deal, which it says will benefit thousands who are struggling among the league’s roughly 22,000 current retirees, got the nod from U.S. District Judge Anita Brody.
Assuming no appeals are filed, the benefits process would open this summer, the players’ attorneys said. But they warned that appeals would delay that process for months, if not years.
And that might be the rub.