Football NFL Union vs. NFL Owners

T-post Tom · 03-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Union boss finalist wants review of discipline policy

Updated: March 8, 2009, 6:36 PM EST

Sports attorney David Cornwell is challenging the NFL's right to discipline players by proposing to appoint an independent arbitrator to review — and have the power to change — rulings made by the commissioner.

Cornwell, one of four finalists in the running to replace the late Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association's executive director, described the league's current disciplinary policy as being "draconian" and requiring independent oversight.

"The notion that public relations drives or justifies draconian and unfair disciplinary actions is simply misplaced and we will no longer accept it," Cornwell told The Associated Press. "We have the legal right to negotiate these policies ... and we are going to exercise that right to get independent review of the commissioner's decisions."

Cornwell is closely tied to the issue of discipline after he successfully argued last season to have a federal judge block the NFL suspension of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy. He argued that the suspensions were wrong because the NFL knew about the banned ingredient contained in the dietary supplement StarCaps but failed to share that information with players.

The league has appealed the ruling.

Currently, NFL suspensions are determined by commissioner Roger Goodell. Aside from filing grievances with the NFL, the union's sole other option is going to court. Cornwell is proposing an appeals process that is similar to that of Major League Baseball and the NBA.

In an e-mail to the AP, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is not going to comment on proposals made by executive director candidates. Aiello, however, noted that, "The commissioner's disciplinary authority has always been a bedrock principle of the NFL that has served everyone, including players, very well."

Entering his third year as commissioner, Goodell has made discipline one of his top priorities.

The other three finalists to replace Upshaw, who died in August, are former union presidents Troy Vincent and Trace Armstrong, and Washington D.C.-based attorney DeMaurice Smith.

The union is scheduled to select its next boss by vote at its annual meetings at Maui on March 15.

If elected, Cornwell said he would include the issue of discipline as part of the next labor talks after the NFL last year opted out of the collective bargaining agreement.

"If the commissioner regulates player conduct, then it is a term and condition of employment," Cornwell said. "After the StarCaps' case and other less publicized decisions, we will fix the problem caused by no independent review of commissioner disciplinary decisions."

Cornwell made clear that the NFL's reputation would not suffer under his proposal.

"We will make a focused commitment on making sure that the fan understands that the vast majority of NFL players are great community citizens," he said. "The notion that a person who has a bad event is a reflection on all of us is misplaced."

Cornwell also proposed creating a new senior union executive position to directly address concerns of retired players in an attempt to stem a series of lawsuits and complaints against the NFLPA, and begin bridging a rift that has grown between the two sides.

The person taking over the new position of special adviser for retired players would report directly to the executive director, Cornwell said.

Cornwell re-entered the executive director election process after gaining the written support of three of 32 player representatives, as allowed under union rules to place a candidate on the ballot. He had been previously eliminated as a finalist by the union's search committee in January.

Mr. Krab · 03-08-2009, 06:43 PM

The NFL is getting ready for a big blowup.

stlchiefs · 03-08-2009, 06:58 PM

oh geez. That's all we need is to bring more attorneys into the mix. I'm sure that will clear everything up.

**alanm** · 03-08-2009, 07:08 PM

I'm fine with Goodell's discipline rulings. Playing professional football is a privilege, not a right. You have a problem following the code of conduct your ass should be bounced out of the league.

**DaFace** · 03-08-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

I'm fine with Goodell's discipline rulings. Playing professional football is a privilege, not a right. You have a problem following the code of conduct your ass should be bounced out of the league.

I agree with this. The players' union may not like it, and they may eventually get their way, but I like that Goodell has tried to get the players to act like professionals by making consequences for acting like idiots.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-08-2009, 07:24 PM

If you don't show up to work one day because you got arrested, you damn well may get fired. These guys complain about suspensions? These ****ers really have no clue. Blow it up and start over. Kick their asses to the curb. I wonder how many people really give a shit about the players. For me, I root for uniforms.

EyePod · 03-08-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I agree with this. The players' union may not like it, and they may eventually get their way, but I like that Goodell has tried to get the players to act like professionals by making consequences for acting like idiots.

I agree. I only wish that TO would **** up off the field once. Now that I think about it, isn't it illegal to attempt suicide? Goodell should have suspended his has for being crazy!

Valiant · 03-08-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

If you don't show up to work one day because you got arrested, you damn well may get fired. These guys complain about suspensions? These ****ers really have no clue. Blow it up and start over. Kick their asses to the curb. I wonder how many people really give a shit about the players. For me, I root for uniforms.

I agree..

03-08-2009, 06:39 PM
T-post Tom Busy in a Kohl's restroom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $1747293	NFL Union vs. NFL Owners Union boss finalist wants review of discipline policy Updated: March 8, 2009, 6:36 PM EST Sports attorney David Cornwell is challenging the NFL's right to discipline players by proposing to appoint an independent arbitrator to review — and have the power to change — rulings made by the commissioner. Cornwell, one of four finalists in the running to replace the late Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association's executive director, described the league's current disciplinary policy as being "draconian" and requiring independent oversight. "The notion that public relations drives or justifies draconian and unfair disciplinary actions is simply misplaced and we will no longer accept it," Cornwell told The Associated Press. "We have the legal right to negotiate these policies ... and we are going to exercise that right to get independent review of the commissioner's decisions." Cornwell is closely tied to the issue of discipline after he successfully argued last season to have a federal judge block the NFL suspension of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy. He argued that the suspensions were wrong because the NFL knew about the banned ingredient contained in the dietary supplement StarCaps but failed to share that information with players. The league has appealed the ruling. Currently, NFL suspensions are determined by commissioner Roger Goodell. Aside from filing grievances with the NFL, the union's sole other option is going to court. Cornwell is proposing an appeals process that is similar to that of Major League Baseball and the NBA. In an e-mail to the AP, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is not going to comment on proposals made by executive director candidates. Aiello, however, noted that, "The commissioner's disciplinary authority has always been a bedrock principle of the NFL that has served everyone, including players, very well." Entering his third year as commissioner, Goodell has made discipline one of his top priorities. The other three finalists to replace Upshaw, who died in August, are former union presidents Troy Vincent and Trace Armstrong, and Washington D.C.-based attorney DeMaurice Smith. The union is scheduled to select its next boss by vote at its annual meetings at Maui on March 15. If elected, Cornwell said he would include the issue of discipline as part of the next labor talks after the NFL last year opted out of the collective bargaining agreement. "If the commissioner regulates player conduct, then it is a term and condition of employment," Cornwell said. "After the StarCaps' case and other less publicized decisions, we will fix the problem caused by no independent review of commissioner disciplinary decisions." Cornwell made clear that the NFL's reputation would not suffer under his proposal. "We will make a focused commitment on making sure that the fan understands that the vast majority of NFL players are great community citizens," he said. "The notion that a person who has a bad event is a reflection on all of us is misplaced." Cornwell also proposed creating a new senior union executive position to directly address concerns of retired players in an attempt to stem a series of lawsuits and complaints against the NFLPA, and begin bridging a rift that has grown between the two sides. The person taking over the new position of special adviser for retired players would report directly to the executive director, Cornwell said. Cornwell re-entered the executive director election process after gaining the written support of three of 32 player representatives, as allowed under union rules to place a candidate on the ballot. He had been previously eliminated as a finalist by the union's search committee in January.
Posts: 22,376

03-08-2009, 06:43 PM	#2
Mr. Krab Big Red Nuts Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $10004900	The NFL is getting ready for a big blowup.
Posts: 3,512

03-08-2009, 06:58 PM	#3
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	oh geez. That's all we need is to bring more attorneys into the mix. I'm sure that will clear everything up.
Posts: 4,160

03-08-2009, 07:08 PM	#4
alanm Feeling Victorian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Nebraska/Wyoming/Colorado Casino cash: $-113564	I'm fine with Goodell's discipline rulings. Playing professional football is a privilege, not a right. You have a problem following the code of conduct your ass should be bounced out of the league. __________________ It bears repeating, ** Herm, Pioli, Haley, and Crennel for ing up my franchise for a goddamn decade. Buehler 445**
Posts: 33,983