As expected, the NFL is taking its challenge to Judge David Doty to the next level.

According to Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal, the league formally filed an appeal of Doty’s recent decision to uphold the refusal of the Falcons’ effort to recover millions in bonus money from quarterback Michael Vick and to reject the NFL’s attempt to dump Doty from the case.

The paperwork was filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which ultimately will assign a three-judge panel to decide whether Doty got it right, or got it wrong.

The legal fight is an example of the mood currently prevailing between the league and the union, setting the stage for potentially nasty contract negotiations and, possibly, a work stoppage.