The NFL has officially locked out the players as of midnight, a counter move that was anticipated as soon as the NFL Players Association decertified earlier today.

The NFL officially notified all 32 franchises of the move via an e-mail.

The players' union has already filed an injuction that hasn't been heard yet trying to block a lockout.

Now, the next move is the court system as this will be adjudicated in Minnesota.

The union has filed a lawsuit in federal court, an antitrust lawsuit as Brady et al vs. National Football League et all.

The suit goes after the NFL on several fronts, challenging the legality of the draft, salary cap, free agent rules and the franchise tag.

The lawsuit cites the Sherman Act, which is an 1890 federal antitrust statute governing monopolies and commerce. Plus, it's going after hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

Earlier Friday, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said there's a lack of trust between the two sides.