Arbitrator denies NFL's request to dismiss Kaepernick's collusion case

Stephen Burbank, the system arbitrator assigned to Colin Kaepernick's collusion case, denied the NFL's request to dismiss the quarterback's complaint against the league.

Burbank did not provide a conclusive victory for Kaepernick but decided there was enough evidence for the case to continue and potentially go to trial.

The NFL did not provide comment on Burbank's decision.

Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal outlined the legal process before Kaepernick's case can go to a federal courts appeal, with the court trial and ensuing decision happening before. The decision can then be appealed to a three-person panel under the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Afterward, the decision could go to federal court.

Kaepernick's grievance against the NFL was filed in October under the premise that the NFL's owners colluded to keep him out of the league due to his protests against police brutality and racial inequality during the national anthem. He attended the depositions of commissioner Roger Goodell as well as several NFL owners.

The signal-caller opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017 when it became apparent that they had no interest in re-signing him.