Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick reach settlement on breach claim

Published on March 31, 2009 by

The Atlanta Falcons have reached a settlement with quarterback Michael Vick on their breach-of-contract claim that is still awaiting an appeals court decision on a grievance case, sources confirmed Monday.

Under the settlement, Vick has agreed to pay the Falcons $7.5 million if the team wins an appeal in the Eighth Circuit Court and $6.5 million if the court upholds U.S. District Judge David Doty’s decision that Vick is only liable for $3.75 million.

The settlement should pave the way for Vick’s imminent release from the team. He has remained under contract with the team while serving a 21-month prison term for his 2007 conviction for bankrolling a dogfighting operation.

The Falcons were awarded a $20 million claim by the NFL’s special master in a grievance filed against Vick, alleging he breached his contract when he was criminally convicted. However, Judge Doty overturned the special master’s ruling, saying that Vick was only responsible for $3.75 million, a pro-rated amount of his signing bonus.

In the settlement reached last week, sources say that Vick agreed to let the appeals court make a ruling but would only pay a maximum of $7.5 million and a minimum of $6.5 million. The appeals court is expected to rule no later than June.

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Tags: 5 Million, Appeals Court, Breach Of Contract, Contract Claim, convict, conviction, Court Case, Court Decision, David Doty, District Judge David, Dogfighting, Eighth Circuit Court, Grievance, Imminent Release, Judge David Doty, Judge Doty, michael vick, NFL FOOTBALL, Prison Term, quarterback, Quarterback Michael Vick, settlement, Signing Bonus, the nfl, U.S. District

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