he NHL Players' Association moved one step closer Friday toward dissolving the union, voting to authorize its executive board the discretion to file a "disclaimer of interest," multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.com. The affirmative vote, the result of a five-day ballot among the 700-plus players, allows the executive board to disband the union if and when it chooses to do so. Sources said 706 players voted in favor of disbanding the union, while 22 voted against it. The executive board now has until Jan. 2 to make a decision on whether to file the disclaimer of interest -- a quicker, less-formal way of decertification. Breaking up the NHLPA would prohibit the players from collectively bargaining as a union, though it would allow them to file an antitrust lawsuit against the league. Read more http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8770368/nhlpa-votes-authorize-move-disband-sources-say
