When the players decertified in 1989, it was because they had a specific goal: free agency rights.

FORBES: NFL Labor Talks: Watch the Players, Not the Owners

The White case was filed after the players association decertified and was not closed until April 1993.

FORBES: What is the NFL Players' Lawsuit All About?

The NFLPA decertified in 1989 in order to bring an antitrust case and did not reform again until 1993.

FORBES: Do Not Panic: Player's Union Decertification Does Not Mean No Football

The NFL players have decertified in the past and even won key court victories in cases like Mackey v.

FORBES: NFL Labor Settlement Would Be Win For NBA Owners

The NLRB then holds a vote and if 50% or more of the players vote to decertify, the players association is decertified.

FORBES: NFL Labor Issues: A Primer

The union decertified, negating its existence as a collective bargaining agent, and allowing players to sue the NFL about the restraints in place.

FORBES: How The Decertification Option Fits Into Players' Plan to Fight NFL

But that research resulted in widespread scrutiny of electronic voting around the country, and Diebold machines were decertified for use in many states.

FORBES: Indian Researcher Who Showed E-Voting Security Flaws Jailed, Denied Bail, Charged With Theft

The NFL Players Association was very vocal about gathering votes for decertification during the season and then immediately decertified at the first opportunity.

FORBES: Resolution Of NFL Lockout Bodes Poorly For NBA Players In Their Labor Battle

But despite being criticized in at least four distinct studies over the last six years and decertified in California and Ohio, the allegedly faulty machines haven't gone away.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The NBA Players Association has never decertified.

FORBES: NFL Labor Settlement Would Be Win For NBA Owners