Vick owes Falcons $20m says arbitrator
ATLANTA, Georgia: Suspended quarterback Michael Vick owes $20 million in bonuses to the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, arbitrator Steven Burbank ruled on Tuesday.
American media reported the arbitrator gave the Falcons the green light to go after $19.97 million in signing bonuses from Vick, who was suspended indefinitely by the league after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges in August.
"We are certainly pleased with today's ruling by NFL Special Master Stephen Burbank," the Falcons said.
"It is the first step in a process that our club has undertaken in an attempt to recoup significant salary cap space that will allow us to continue to build our football team today and in future years."
Both sides had presented their case to Burbank in Philadelphia on Thursday.
According to the report, Burbank's ruling was different from a previous decision he made in a case involving the then Denver Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie.
Burbank said the Falcons are entitled to recoup bonuses because payments to Vick do not apply to money earned - as was the case with Lelie - but for future services, which cannot be earned because of the suspension handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In the ruling involving Lelie, Burbank said teams could only try to recoup bonus money for players who have breached their contract.
The bonus money stems from the 10-year, $130 million contract Vick signed in December 2004.
The NFL Players Association said it is planning to appeal the ruling.
"We will now appeal his ruling to Judge (David) Doty in Minneapolis," the NFLPA said.
If Atlanta receives the bonus money from Vick, it will be applied to the team's salary cap for the 2008 season.
The Falcons will not have to pay Vick's $6 million base salary this season.
However, he still will count nearly $8.5 million against the salary cap.
AFP
(China Daily 10/11/2007 page24)
