Falcons want up to $22M back from Vick
Hearing Thursday in Philadelphia to discuss QB's bonuses

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/03/07

Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay and three other team officials are in Philadelphia Thursday for an arbitration hearing in which the team will try to recoup $22 million in bonuses paid to quarterback Michael Vick.

The hearing, which will take place at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in front of special master Stephen Burbank, is not expected to last for more than a day. Besides the Falcons officials, counsel from the NFL is expected to be present.

Defending Vick will be two lawyers representing the NFL Players Association.

The Falcons are trying to recoup the bonus money on the grounds that Vick violated his contract by participating in illegal dogfighting over the term of the contract, which he initially signed after being the first overall player drafted in 2001. Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million extension after the 2004 season.

Vick pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges in August in which he acknowledged being part of a Virginia-based dogfighting ring since 2001. He is awaiting sentencing Dec. 10. The NFL has indefinitely suspended Vick, who also is facing two state charges related to dogfighting.

The NFLPA will argue that the Falcons do not have the right to pursue money paid to Vick that did not come in the form of a signing bonus, as per the collective bargaining agreement, according to a union representative.

A judgment could come by the end of the week. Either side has the right to appeal to U.S. District Judge David S. Doty, according to the NFLPA.

The Falcons said they are trying to recoup money from Vick because it could help them gain relief under the salary cap. Any money the Falcons recover will be applied to the salary cap a year after it is received.