Unless another extension was reached today, the NFLPA had to file a petition to decertify by 5:00 p.m. in order to be able to immediately file an antitrust lawsuit if the NFL institutes a lockout.

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

The conference call between the judge and the lawyers -- which is memorialized in a formal document prepared by her clerk and on file in the case in Arkansas -- notes that the conference call began at 5:33 p.m.

CNN: Transcript: White House Counsel Ruff's opening statement