NFL refuses to delay decision on bounty scandal for players' union to conduct own investigation - NFL News
It seems National Football League (NFL) commissioner, Roger Goodell, wants to deliver punishment to the New Orleans Saints quickly after refusing a request from the players’ union to delay the announcement.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) had announced that it was going to conduct its own investigation into the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal a day after the release of the league’s investigative report revealing the illegal program.
The union had asked the league to delay announcing the punishments till the time that they have concluded their own investigation and also asked for permission to meet with owners and managers to discuss the issue.
However, in a letter released by the NFL on Wednesday, the league’s attorney, Jeff Pash told NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen that they will not be delaying the verdict.
"We have given your requests careful consideration, and have concluded that there is no basis for delaying the imposition of any discipline in this matter, and particularly not as it may apply to a club or any non-player employee of a club,"
The letter further said that.
"Any disciplinary action affecting any player would be imposed only in a manner consistent with our Collective Bargaining Agreement. As you know, the sole authority to investigate and impose discipline in this matter rests with the Commissioner."
The league though gave the NFLPA the permission to interview franchise officials however there was not compulsion on them to agree to the meetings.
The news would disappoint many since the NFLPA’s investigation was thought to provide another perspective to the bounty scandal and reveal the extent of the program.
New Orleans are accused of running an illegal program that paid players to injure targeted opponents in order to earn large amounts of money.
The pool was maintained through player contributions and from the then defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
The Saints upper management knew of the program with both general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton ignoring the program and doing nothing to stop it.
It is also alleged that the system ran for a three years in secret before finally being revealed by the league.
It is expected that Goodell would hand out the severest punishments of his tenure as commissioner which would include multiple fines and suspensions as well as removing a few of the Saints draft picks.
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