New Orleans Saints

While the NFL arbitrator has ruled that Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner has the authority to punish the New Orleans Saints players as it relates to  Bountygate, the NFL Players Association thinks otherwise.

Below is the statement by the Players Association:

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.

Arbitrator Rules In Favor Of NFL In Bounty Grievance.