The NBA players' union is seeking to have a case heard by an arbitrator to fight the suspensions leveled by Commissioner David Stern.

The union filed an appeal Tuesday on behalf of Indiana Pacers players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal, who were suspended for their roles in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans last week.

Artest was banned for the season, Jackson for 30 games and O'Neal for 25. Union director Billy Hunter has called the penalties excessive, saying a suspension of about 35 games would have been more appropriate for Artest.

Now, Hunter appears to be attempting to find a way around the rule stating the commissioner has sole authority -and is the final avenue of appeal- over matters of discipline involving on-court behavior

Source: Xinhua