On Tuesday November 1oth, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Judge David Doty’s previous order against the NFL. The court affirmed the previous judge’s ruling and declared that Mike Vick‘s contract should remain under Doty’s oversight.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello mentioned that Doty’s ruling on Vick’s bonuses was upheld in large part because the 8th Circuit found the contract’s forfeiture language ambiguous.
The ruling allows the Philadelphia Eagles backup Quarterback to keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons. The court claimed that Vick had already earned the bonus money before he was convicted of federal dog fighting crimes and the money was NOT subject to forfeiture laws.
Vick could certainly use the additional money to help pay off creditors and start over now that he is back on the playing field. He is set to earn $1.6 million from the Eagles this year with a team option for the second year at $5.2 million.
Obviously the NFL was not happy about the appellate court’s decision to agree with Judge Doty’s previous ruling. Doty has handled NFL cases including Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) matters for years. However, after his first decision in this case, the NFL began accusing the Judge of being biased and attempted to end his oversight of its contract with the players union.
Unfortunately, after the decision that the 8th circuit handed down, it looks like the relationship between the NFL and Judge Doty will continue a bit longer.