Yesterday, a new ruling stemming from Michael Vick’s well known legal troubles allowed the former Falcons QB to keep a $16 million portion of what he has earned from his legal activities while with the NFL.

The first issue regarding the possible forfeiture of money by Vick came down to the question of whether the Vick bonus was paid as a signing bonus, not fully earned and subject to forfeiture, or a roster bonus, not subject to forfeiture. After reviewing the applicable legal tests, the court found the money was properly held to be a roster bonus which was considered to be already fully earned by the time Vick stopped playing for the Falcons, thus not subject to forfeiture under the player’s collective bargaining agreement. At this, ESPN reports that NFL spokesman Greg Aiello rather sourly claimed the court’s ruling for Vick came in “large part because it found the [player’s] contract forfeiture language ambiguous” and that the NFL would seek to remedy that problem for the future.

The NFL next challenged the collective bargaining agreement itself attempting to argue the  Leauge was constrained in negotiations by fear of possible anti-trust liability. The court disagreed, citing years of approved collective bargaining activity. Finally, the League argued to overturn Judge Doty’s (who has long worked on matters concerning the NFL) ruling due to comments to the press and ex parte meetings with the Players Association (without league representatives), supposedly indicating a bias.  The Appeals Court noted that Doty’s press comments concerned long passed rulings and no reasonable person would construe them as “reflecting bias” in the current matter. Although, it should be noted here that the Court threw down a flag and offered a few not so genial hints to Doty regarding what it felt the proper interaction between judge and press should be.

The result of these complex and long-running legal arguments? NFL - 0, Vick, $16mill.

Related Resources:

  • The Full Decision (FindLaw)
  • Appeals court: Vick can keep bonus (ESPN)
  • Vick’s Dog Fighting Plea Agreement (FindLaw)

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