Event Date: February 22nd, 1984
Event Description: Cribbs Decision
Source: United Press International
U.S. District Court Judge John Elfvin is expected to rule Thursday on whether Buffalo Bills' running back Joe Cribbs can jump to the USFL's Birmingham Stallions.
Elfvin, who listened to five days of testimony in the case earlier this month, heard closing arguments in the legal battle for Cribbs' services earlier this week.
He indicated he was 'aiming for Thursday' to issue his ruling.
Cribbs, an all-pro with the Bills whose contract has expired, has signed a 1984 pact with the Stallions and is working out with the USFL team. The Stallions open their regular season Saturday against the Houston Gamblers.
The main issue in the dispute is a right-of-first refusal clause in Cribbs' Buffalo contract. The Bills claim the clause, which gives them the right to match any contract offer Cribbs receives, pertains to all professional football teams.
But Cribbs and the Stallions contend the clause covers only NFL teams, since the USFL was not in existence when the former Auburn University running back signed with the Bills in 1980.
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