UPDATE 10/24: Judge Frison lifted her initial ban on the sale, according to Fox 25. She said that, “The Court is satisfied that the purpose of this injunction – to protect the assets of the defendant – is met.”

Though his team is headed into the World Series this Wednesday, it’s not all good news for Red Sox owner John Henry. His recent attempt to purchase both the Boston Globe and the Telegram & Gazette has been put on hold by a ruling earlier today from a Worcester Superior Court judge. Though the ruling has direct implications for the sale in the short-term,  the reason behind the freeze has less to do with John Henry himself.

Stemming from a 2009 class-action lawsuit filed against the Telegram & Gazette, Judge Shannon Frison put out a temporary restraining order which stalled the sale this past Friday. The suit was filed against the Telegram by independent carriers of newspaper, claiming that they should be treated as employees, not independent contractors. Essentially, attorneys that represent the Telegram’s independent carriers are concerned about their clients being able to get paid the settlement from the suit.

This hinders the $70 million buyout that Henry had previously agreed to, after the New York Times Co. had accepted the bid earlier this year. It would give Henry ownership over the New England Media Group, which comprises the Globe, the Telegram, boston.com, and telegram.com.

The sticking point could be that the New York Times Co. is not willing to assume liability for the lawsuit, which they are not directly involved in themselves. Judge Frison has also issued subpoena orders to all parties regarding the sale, including the New York Times Co., the Globe, the Telegram, and John Henry, obligating them to turn over all documents pertaining to the transaction.

There is no way to know how and when this will be resolved, however it is clear that the supposedly green-lighted sale is now on hold for the foreseeable future.