Will Overturning Saints Bounty Suspensions Undercut NFL Commissioner's Authority?

On Friday afternoon, it was announced that a collective bargaining agreement appeals panel overturned the NFL?s suspensions of four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints? ?bounty program?.? Subsequently, all 4 players (Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita, and Anthony Hargrove) are eligible to play this weekend.

While the suspensions are vacated immediately, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell can go back and suspend the four players IF he can prove that the pay-for-performance monetary pool actually led to players trying to injure opponents.

Even if Commissioner Goodell re-imposes some degree of sanction, 3 of the players (Vilma, Smith, Fujita are each vested veterans?Hargrove is currently not on a roster as he was recently cut by the Packers) will be guaranteed their 2012 salaries in full simply by being on the opening day rosters.

According to Spotrac, that?s base money of $1.6 million for Mr. Vilma, $825,000 for Mr. Smith, and $3.65 million for Mr. Fujita.? As the numbers show, this was obviously more than just a moral victory for these particular players.

And in terms of on-the-field significance for this first week of the 2012 NFL season, this decision likely impacts just one of these players (Smith) because the other players are either recovering from injury, not ready to play, or simply not on a roster.

However, the real significance of today?s ruling is the question of how this historic and unanimous decision by the appeals panel may impact Commissioner Goodell?s authority going forward.

I think most of us would concur that, if there was a bounty program aimed at targeting and injuring opponents, then suspensions would be in order?as that type of conduct would be detrimental to the integrity of the game.

However, I think most of us would also concur that:

- It is inherently unfair to have an appeals process in place where the person levying the punishment (Mr. Goodell) was at one time the same person hearing player appeals;

- Given the gravity of the punishments, both in terms of short-term income loss and potential long-term character defamation, that it was incumbent for the Commissioner?s Office to be forthcoming with any and all evidence pertaining to whether they had specific and undeniable data which showed that these particular players did indeed intend to injury opponents.? Though I understand the importance of protecting sources and the like, that seems a flimsy excuse to hide behind when you put a man?s livelihood and reputation on the line.

Because the Commissioner?s Office surely doesn?t want to have its authority mocked and constantly questioned going forward, this historic day may cause Mr. Goodell to more carefully vet future punishment and suspension decisions more carefully with his senior advisers.

Today?s decision to lift Roger Goodell?s suspensions of current and former Saints players won?t completely soften the Commissioner?s resolve to enforce law and order for reasons as far-ranging as player safety and public relations.? More times than not, Mr. Goodell has been justified and measured in levying fines and suspensions that help protect the safety of players and the public image of the league?s players.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2012/09/07/will-overturning-saints-bounty-suspensions-undercut-nfl-commissioners-authority/

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