Goodell may hear Vilma's appeal of suspension June 18

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to meet with New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma on June 18 to hear the linebacker's appeal of his season-long suspension for his role in the pay-to-injure bounty reward program the Saints ran between 2009-2011.A person familiar with the appeals process says Vilma's hearing date has been set because he appealed his season-long ban directly to the commissioner through his personal attorney.

The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity, said it's also possible Goodell could hear appeals that same day for the three other suspended players implicated in the pay-for-pain scheme. They are Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, suspended eight games, Saints defensive end Will Smith, suspended four games and Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who received a three-game ban. Each of those players are using union representation.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello would not confirm the June 18 hearing date. "Pending a ruling from arbitrator Shyam Das, we are not commenting on the appeals process,'' he said.

The hearing date for Vilma, who also has sued Goodell for defamation, could be pushed back pending a union grievance challenging Goodell's authority.

The league and the union await a ruling by arbitrator Shyam Das on who should hear player appeals — Goodell or Art Shell and Ted Cottrell, who are appointed by both the league and the NFLPA to review discipline for on-field transgressions.

The NFLPA questions Goodell's authority to punish players for any acts before last summer's collective bargaining agreement was struck. There is no timetable for Das' decision.

Special master Stephen Burbank ruled Monday that Goodell is empowered to discipline the four players banned for their roles in the bounty program.


(usatoday.com)