New York ? Arbitrator Roger Kaplan said Tuesday he would issue a ruling “in the next couple of days” on an appeal of the brawl-related suspensions given to four members of the Indiana Pacers.

The case almost is certain to move to federal court if Kaplan rules in favor of the players and orders reductions in some of the longest suspensions ever handed down by NBA commissioner David Stern.

The Pacers’ Ron Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season, Stephen Jackson received a 30-game suspension, Jermaine O’Neal 25 and Anthony Johnson six for their roles in a brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich., during a Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons game.

The union asked for substantial reductions in those penalties during a six-hour arbitration hearing earlier this month. The NBA declined to participate in that hearing, saying Kaplan had no jurisdiction to arbitrate penalties for on-court behavior — an area in which the league contends the commissioner has sole discretion on penalties.

Kaplan must rule on two issues: whether he has jurisdiction to hear the case, and the merits of the grievance itself — whether Stern had just cause to issue the lengthy suspensions.

Kaplan declined comment — aside from disclosing a rough timetable — in a telephone interview Tuesday.