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In 2004, Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million contract that assured fans his unique combination of running-back elusiveness and speed and rocket passing arm would lead the team for years to come.

Then came the dog-fighting scandal. Now, with Vick's career in ruins and facing a stretch in the slammer, the Falcon's are applying the coup de grace, suing to recover almost $20 million in bonus money paid to him at the time the contract was signed.

The measure was approved by the NFL's Special Master Stephan Burbank, who is charged with resolving league/union disputes. It sets a new and dangerous precedent for the players. While almost no one (thankfully) is speaking up in defense of Vick, the league is rife with players that have transgressed in other ways; drug use, drunken driving, and sexual peccadilloes, for example. The notion that the players could not only lose future employment, but also be forced to repay money already received, will be sobering. The league hopes.

The NFL Player's Union is appealing the decision, as one might expect. Either way, I'd guess in the future player's agents will demand signing bonuses be constructed to safeguard their clients from such reversals.

NFL takes big bite out of Michael Vick's signing bonus originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanta falconsAtlantaFalconsinthenewsmichael vickmichael vick lawsuitmichael vick signing bonusMichaelVickMichaelVickLawsuitMichaelVickSigningBonusnflWed, 10 Oct 2007 19:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Oprah Winfrey redeem Michael Vick?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/can-oprah-winfrey-redeem-michael-vick/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/can-oprah-winfrey-redeem-michael-vick/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/can-oprah-winfrey-redeem-michael-vick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Oprah WinfreySuspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's best chance at public redemption lies with Oprah Winfrey. At least that's the conclusion of Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp, who makes a convincing argument that "now that pop culture dictates news judgment, it's only appropriate that a pop culture diva quite possibly holds the key to Michael Vick's NFL future."

Vick should take Sharp's advice. If Vick goes on Oprah, his handlers would no doubt encourage him to cry, talk about "finding Jesus" and encourage young people to make smart decisions. Unfortunately for Vick, the road to redemption starts with the talk show queen. Vick will have to spend the next few months apologizing until the American public is sick of seeing his face.

The question for Vick's handlers is where to go after Oprah.

Will he try to reach NFL fans through Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE: DIS) ESPN cable network or News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) Fox?

What about the morning shows? You can bet that ABC, General Electric Co.'s (NYSE: GE) NBC and CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) would kill to land an interview with the disgraced athlete. "Dateline" and "60 Minutes" are probably working on stories about the evils of dog fighting. The story also continues to be the gift that keeps on giving for Time Warner Inc.'s (NYSE: TWX) CNN, Fox News channel, and MSNBC.

But I am not sure that all of the apologizing in the world can save Vick's NFL career. People understand that young, rich athletes misbehave and occasionally break the law. But Vick's behavior was so heinous that it defies explanation.

Can Oprah Winfrey redeem Michael Vick? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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