With the lockout lifted, the NFL's best hope is an appeal. (JohnSeb via Creative Commons)

U.S Judge Susan Richard Nelson ordered an immediate end to the lockout Monday and sided with the players in a tenuous disagreement with owners over how to divide the $9 billion business.

The NFL responded to the decision by filing a notice of appeal questioning whether or not Nelson exceeded her jurisdiction and seeking relief from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

The league also filed a motion for an expedited stay, asking Nelson to freeze her ruling to let the appeals process play out.

Players will now be able to show up at team facilities on Tuesday and enter the building if they want to. The players received an email that they are legally entitled to show up at the team facilities and that teams are not allowed to block their access.

The teams were told not to open their weight rooms nor engage in any contract discussions.

The league plans to set up security for when players come to avoid any potential confrontations or media interaction.

The NFL wants everyone to believe that this is a labor dispute, players said, but it is not any more. As Nelson explained, it’s an antitrust case. Nelson ruled that the NFL's arguments don't hold water -- they will now have to come up with something new to get the lockout back in effect.

With appeals, the dispute between the players and owners seems likely to drag on through the spring and possibly into the summer.

As it gets closer to August, when training camps and the preseason get into full swing, it is more likely that the regular season games could be lost.

_____________

Reach Devin by email.