NFL Hearing Called Off Before Lawyer’s Potential Discipline

The National Football League won’t get to present oral argument in a federal appeals court case that alleges the league violated antitrust law by colluding with teams to suppress cheerleaders’ wages.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will decide the case based on arguments contained in written briefs, clerk Molly C. Dwyer wrote Dec. 7. The question is whether the NFL’s requirement for teams to submit employment contracts for its review and its prohibition on teams hiring cheerleaders from one another can be considered collusion to keep pay down.

Deciding an appeal without oral argument is uncommon, ...