The NFLPA took a bit of a blow in their lawsuit against the NFL in the New Orleans Saints Bounty case, as Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled in favor of the NFL. The NFLPA is obviously not happy with the ruling and issued a statement, indicating the NFLPA does plan to appeal the decision.
NFLPA Responds To Saints Bounty Decision, Plans Appeal
The NFL Players Association will appeal today’s decision to the Appeals Panel provided by the CBA for the review of all system arbitrator decisions.
Any pay-to-injure program runs counter to the health and safety principles we stand for as players. However, none of the players punished in this case have seen a shred of evidence justifying the NFL’s punishment.
In the opinion, system arbitrator Stephen Burbank wrote, “[I]t is important to emphasize - with respect to all of the Players - that nothing in this opinion is intended to convey a view about the underlying facts or the appropriateness of the discipline imposed.”
The union believes that the players are entitled to neutral arbitration of these issues under the CBA and will continue to fight for that principle and to protect the fair due process rights of all players.
The NFLPA pleaded its case to Burbank last week, but the Special Master clearly didn’t find the case very compelling.
The NFLPA is also still waiting on a ruling from arbitrator Shyam Das, arguing that Goodell could not rule on the matter because it happened prior to the 2011 CBA. That ruling is expected to be handed down sometime soon.
For more Saints coverage, check out Canal Street Chronicles. Follow the latest developments in the bounty case in this StoryStream.
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