[Clarkmeister]

The thing is that holdouts really only occur in the NFL nowadays, with a rare exception in the NHL. The NBA and MLB are essentially holdout free leagues.

And the NFL is unique because the contracts aren't guaranteed, and teams frequently threaten players with the "renegotiate or we'll cut you" ploy, so by my way of thinking, that makes it perfectly fine for the players to say "renegotiate or I won't play".

In the leagues with guaranteed contracts, I have no sympathy with either side. You made your bed, lie in it.