George Nicolau

From BR Bullpen

George Nicolau

• Born February 14, 1925

George Nicolau is an American jurist who works out of New York. Before entering college, Nicolau lost a leg during World War II. After his recovery, he turned to law. He graduated from Columbia University with his juris doctor degree and became a high-powered attorney.

In 1960, Nicolau led the Equity Actors' Association Strike that closed Broadway theaters for two weeks. Beginning in 1986, Nicolau was hired by Major League Baseball as their independent arbitrator.

In nine years of service, Nicolau handed down 28 decisions siding with the owners on 14 occasions and the players 13 times. There was one split decision.

Nicolau ruled in 1990 that the owners had practiced collusion, the practice of holding player salaries down, during the winter of 1986-87. The owners were forced to pay millions to players who were the victims of this pratice during the free agency period. In 1992, Nicolau struck down new rules that gave teams the rights to a drafted player for five years. He also rescinded the lifetime suspension of Steve Howe, calling the suspension too harsh. He was fired by the owners on September 9, 1995.

In 2006, Nicolau was in the news again when he was called to resolve the strike between New York City and 36,000 transit workers.