The Atlanta Falcons Football Club LLC et al v. The National Football League Players Association et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT filed by The Atlanta Falcons Football Club and The National Football League Management Council. Consent form to proceed before U.S. Magistrate and pretrial instructions provided. ( Filing fee $ 350.00 receipt number 113E-3805221.) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit -A Part 1, # 2 Exhibit -A Part 2, # 3 Exhibit -A Part 3, # 4 Exhibit -A Part 4, # 5 Exhibit -B, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet)(eop) Please visit our website at http://www.gand.uscourts.gov to obtain Pretrial Instructions.

Exhibit A
(Part 2 of 4)

Section 6. Pre-Training Camp Period ............. . ....... 173
Section 7. Rookie Premiere .... . .. ..... . ..... .......... 174
Section 8. Enforcement ..... . ................... . .... .174
ARTICLE XXXVI MINlCAMPS ................... . ...... .. 176
Section 1. Number ............... ............. . ..... 176
Section 2. Length . ................................ . .176
Section 3. Expenses ........................... , .... .176
Section 4. Contact ... , .. ..... , ........... . .......... .176
Section 5. Injuries ..... .. ............... . ....... .. .. .176
ARTICLE XXXVII PRE-SEASON TRAINING CAMPS .......... .177
Section 1. Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .177
Section 2. Room and Board ......... ..... , ..... . ...... .177
Section 3. Rookie Per Diem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... .1 77
Section 4. Veteran Per Diem ... .. ................... ... 177
Section 5. Reporting ................................ .177
Section 6. Number of Pre-Season Games ......... , ....... .177
Section 7. Telephones .., .............. . ...... . ...... .178
Section 8. Expenses ............. ,", ." .... , ... , ... .178
ARTICLE XXXVIII SAlARIES .. ..... ,. , ........... ' ....... 179
Sections 1-5. [no longer applicable} ........... . .. , ........ 179
Section 6. Minimum Salaries .... . .. . .. , .. , . , .. , ........ 179
Section 7. Credited Season .................... .. . ..... 180
Section 8. Other Compensation ........ , ............. , ,180
Section 9. Arbitration ...... , .. . ,',., . ...... ........ .. 180
Section 10. Payment ................................. 180
Section 11. Deferred Paragraph 5 .. , . . . . . . . . ..... , ....... 180
Section 12. Number of Regular Season Games , . , , .......... 181
Section 13. Copies of Contracts ... . .. , . , ........ , . .. , ... 181
Section 14. Split Contracts ...... " .. ... , ... , .......... 181
Section 15. Funding of Deferred and Guaranteed Contracts .... 181
ARTICLE XXXVllI-A MINIMUM SALARY BENEFIT, .. , ........ 183
Section 1. Qualifying Players .. , ., .... , , . ....... , , ...... 183
Section 2. Qualifying Conoacts .. . ... , .......... , ....... 183
Section 3. Additional Compensation Rules ......... ,.,'" .183
Section 4. Payments ................ ............ ..... 184
Section 5. Reduced Salary Cap Count .... . . ... ..... , , . , . ,184
S'ection 6. Minimum Salary Benefit Calculation .. . ,." , . , . , .185
Section 7. Bnensions of Qualified Contracts ..... . ,. , . , .... 185
Section 8. [no longerapplicable1 .. ,." ... . . . .......... , .. 185
Section 9. Terminated Qualifying Players. , . , ....... , . , .... 185

viii

. I

Section 10.
Section 11.
Section 12.
Section 13.
Section 14.
Section 15.

Players Moving to New Club .................. 185
Player Returning to Old Club ....... . ......... 185
Players with Expired Contract ... . .... ... ...... 186
Guarantees ......... •.. ...............•... 1B6
Tennination Pay .•......................... lB6
No Benefitfor Non-Qualifying Contrac(S ......... lB7

ARTICLE XXXVIU-B PERFORMANCE-BASED POOL .......... 188
Section 1. Creation of Fund .......... .................. 188
Section 2. Amount of Fund ..... , ..................... .188
Section 3. Mandatory Distribution Each Year ........... . ... 188
Section 4. Qualifying Players ............ . ...... . .... . .. 18B
Section 5. Methodology ...................... ....... .. 188
Section 6. Corrections ................................ 189
ARTICLEXXXIX MEALALLOWANCE ...................... 190
Section 1. Reimbursement...... .. .. . .................. 190
Section 2. Travel Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... 190
ARTICLEXL DAYS OFF •••••••.......•....•.•...•••...• 191
Section 1. Rate .......•............................. 191
Section 2. Requirements .............................. 191

ARTICLE XU
Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4-.

MOVING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES ............ 192
Qualification ... , ...... : .................... 192
Moving Expenses ..... , .. . ... , .............. 192
Travel Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ....... ...... 192
Transporra don ............ , . . . . ............. 193

ARTICLEXLII
Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.

POST-SEASON PAY ....... . ......... , ....... 194
System ......... ..., .. .. . ... .... ....... ... 194
Compensation .......... . . ....... . ....... , .194
Wild Card Game; Division Play-off Game ......... 194
Conference Championship; Super Bowl Game .. , ... 194
Payment ....... , ... , ....•.......•......... 195

ARTICLEXLIll PRO BOWL GAME ., .. ...... , ... ... ....... 196
Section 1. Compensation ., ............. . ........ , .... 196
Section 2. Selection ............. , ............. .... . , .196
Section 3. Wives. , ........ . ................. .... . , .. 196
Section 4. Injury ........ , ........................... 196
Section 5. Payment ........ ...... .................... 196

ix

ARTICLE XLN PlAYERS' RIGHTS TO MEDICAL
CARE AND 'fREA1MENT ............................. 197
Section 1. Club Physician . ..... . . . . . .. . . .. . ... . . . . .. .. 197
Section 2. Club Trainers .... . . .. ....... . . .... ... ... ... 197
Section 3. Players' Right to a Second Medical Opinion ........ 197
Section 4. Players' Right to a Surgeon of His Choice ......... 197
Section 5. Standard Minimum Pre-Season Physical .. . ... . .. .197
Section 6. Substance Abuse .. . .. . . . . .. . . . .. .. ... . ..... .198

ARTICLE XLV ACCESS TO PERSONNEL AND
MEDICAL RECORDS . . ..... , . . ..... . .. . . ...... ... . . .199
Section 1. Personnel Records .. . . ..... . .. . .... . . . .. . .. .. 199
Section 2. Medical Records ...•........ ........ . .... . . .199
ARTICLE XLVI PlAYER BENEFIT COSTS . . ... ... . . . ....... .200
Section 1. General Right of Reduction . . . . . . . ............ .200
Section 2. Right of Restoration ..... . .... ...... .. . . . . . . . .200
Section 3. Definition .... . . .. . .. . .............. . ..... .200
Section 4. Resolution of Disputes .... .. .. .. . . . ...... . . . .200
Section 5. [no longer applicable] . . .. . . ........... .. . . . . ..201
Section 6. Limitations on Contributions ... ....... . . ... . . •201
Section 7. Application of a Salary Cap to Plan Years ... . .. . . ..202
Section 8. TIming . . . .. .. . . . . . .. .... ... . .... ..... . ...202
ARTICLE XLVII REllREMENf PIAN .. . .... .. . ...... . .... .. 203
Section 1. Maintenance and Definitions .. . ......... . . . .... 203
Section 2. [no longer applicable] .. . . . .. ........ . .. . . . .... 203
Section 3. Contribu tions ... .. ... .. .... . . . ........ . ... .203
Section 4. Benefit Credits .... . ... ... . .. . . ...... . .. . .. .203
Section 5. Disability Benefits .... .. . .. . .... . .... .. . . ... .204
Section 6. Joint and Survivor Reset . . ....... . . , .... ..... .205
Section 7. Death Benefits .... .. . , . .... ... .. . ... .. ..... .205
ARTICLE XLVIII SECOND CAREER SAVINGS PlAN ... .. . . .. .206
Section 1. Maintenance, ........ . ..... . . .. .... , ... ... .206
Section 2. Contributions .. . . , . , . .... .. ... .. . . , . , , , ... .206
ARTICLE XLVlII-A PLAYER ANNUIlY PROGRAM . .. . .. . .. .•.208
Section 1. Establishment . . .. , .. . .. ... ... .. , . . . . . ..... .208
Section 2. Contributions .... , .... .. . . . . .. .... , . . ... . . .208
Section 3. TIming ................................... 208
Section 4. Structure .............. . .....•............. 209
Section 5. New Tax-Qualified Portion .. ....... . , .. . .. . .. .209
Section 6. NFL Player Annuity 1St Insurance
Company Net Worth . .. .. . . .. . , ... .. .. . ... . . . .. . . . .209

x

ARTICLE XLVIII-B TUITION ASSISTANCE PIAN ......... . ... 210
Section 1. Establishment . . .... . .. . ... ..... .. . . .... .... 210
Section 2. Eligibility .... . ................. • ..... . .... 210
Section 3. Reimbursement . ............... . . . . .. . . . . ... 211

ARTICLE XLVIU-C NFL PlAYERS HEALTII
REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT .....•..................212
Section l. Establishment. '. ...•...... . ....... , . ........ 212
Section 2. Contributions ..... , ................. . ...... 212
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Section 6.
Section 7.

Eligibility .. ; .............................. 212
Health Reimbursement Accounts .... . .......... 213
Payments from Health ReimbursemenrAccounts .... 213
Structure............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Plan Operation in Uncapped Years ... . ..........214

ARTICLE XLVIII-D 88 BENEFIT ....... .. . . ...... . .. . ... . ..215
Section 1. Establishment . . . .. .. ...... . .... . . .. ..... . .215
Section 2. Benefits .. .. . . . .. . .. . ... . . ..... . ...... . . . .. 215
Section 3. Funding " ... ... . .. . ...... .... .. ..........216
Section 4. 1enn . . .... . . . .. .. . . .. . .. . ...... .. . .. . , ... 216
ARTICLE XLVIII-E NFL PlAYERS BENEFITS COMMITTEE ..... 217
Section 1. Establishment ............ . ............... . .217
Section 2. Function . ............ . . .. . ,...... . .. . . . ... 217
Section 3. Expenses ... ... ... .... . . .. , ... ... . . .. . .. .. 217
Section 4. Uncapped Years ... .. . . .. . . ... . .... . .. . ... .. 217
ARTICLE XLIX GROUP INSURANCE . . ....................218
Section 1. Group Benefits .. . ..........................218
Section 2. Extended Post-Career Medical and Dental Benefits . .219
Section 3. Limitations and Rules For Extended Insurance ..... 219
Section 4 . [no longer applicable] ......•..••..••• • ........ 220
Section 5. Administration ............................. 220

ARTICLE L SEVERANCE PAY ......... . ........ . .......... 221
Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Section 6.
Section 7.
Section 8.

Eligibility .......................... . ...... 221
Amount ....... . .......... . ............... 221
Application ..... . ................. . ........ 221
Payment ......................... . ........ 221
Failure to Apply .......... . . , ...... . ........ 222
Only One Payment ........ . ................. 222
Payable to Survivor ........ . .................222
Prior Severance Pay ................• . ........222

Section 9. Nonassignability . . ........ . ........ . ........ 222

ARTICLE LI DISABILITY PlAN ........................... 223
Section 1. Maintenance ............................... 223
Section 2. Contributions ............................. .223
Section 3. Extension ..... , ........................... 223
ARTICLE UI BENEFIT ARBITRATOR ............. , .. , .....224
Section 1. Selection ......................... , ........224
Section 2. Compensation .............................224
Section 3. Role ....... ............................. .224
ARTICLE LIII RETENTION OF BENEFITS ............ ... ... 226
ARTICLE UV
Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION . . .............. 227
Benefits ... ...... . ................ . ........ 227
Rejection of Coverage ., ............ ; .... ..... 227
Arbitration ....................... .... ..... 227
Worker's Compensation Offset Provisions ........ .227
Preservation of Rights ................. , ...... 231

ARTICLE LV MISCELLANEOUS .......................... 233
Section 1. Endorsements .... . ......................... 233
Section 2. Game Day Attire ............... . ............ 233
Section 3. Appearances ....................... .... .... 233
Section 4. Promotion . .. ........ ... . ...... ....... .... 233
Section 5. Deduction ............ .............. . ..... 233
Section 6. Public Statements ....... ................... .234
Section 7. Address. . . . . . .. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 234
Section 8. NFLPA Tickets ... , ...... ................... 234
Section 9. Player TIckets .............................. 234
Section 10. Tests .................. ............. . .... 234
Section 11. League Security .............. ..... ........ .234
Section 12. Career Planning Program .. . ... .. ........ .. .. .235
Section 13. Delivery of Documents ............... . ...... 235
Section 14. Binding Effect ........ . .................... 235
Section 15. Authorization ............................. 235
Secdon 16. Headings ............... ...... ..... ... ... 235
Section 17. TIme Periods ... ...... . ........... .. .. ..... 235
Section 18. Exhibits ............................. . ... 235
Section 19. Parol Evidence ............................ 235
Section 20. Prior Side Letters ...................... ..... 235

xii

ARTICLE LVI FINAL LEAGUE YEAR ....................... 237
Section 1. No Salary Cap . . . . . . . . . . . ........•..........237
Section 2. Free Agency if Salary Cap in League
Year Prior to Final League Year ......•.........•....... 237
Section 3. Free Agency if No Salary Cap in League
Year Prior to Final league Year •.•.••... .. ..•...•••• ~ •. 237
Section 4. Franchise and Transition Players ....•........... 237
ARTICLE LVII MUTIJAL RFSERVATION OF RIGHTS:
lABOR EX:EMPTION ...........•....................238
Section 1. Rights Under Law ..............•............ 238
Section 2. Labor Exemption ...................•.......238
Section 3. CBA Expiration .....•.... • .................. 238
ARTICLE LVIII DURATION OF AGREEMENT ...............240
Section 1. [no longer applicable] .....•............... ,., .240
Section 2. Effective Date/Expiration Date .................. 240
Section 3. Tennination Prior to Expiration Date ............. 240
Section 4. Effect of Early Tennination on Player Contracts .....241
Section 5. Ratification .......•........................241
ARTICLE UK GOVERNING LAW ................. , ... , .. .243
ARTICLE IX NOTICES . . .. .. .. . ......................... 244
APPENDIXA-CHEC&'OFF AUTII0RIZA110N FOR

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PlAYERS ASSOCIATION
DEDUCTIONS ..................................... 245
APPENDIXB-lNJURYPROTECrION/EARLYWAIVER .... , ... 247
APPENDIX C-NFL PlAYER CONTRACT ................... 248
APPENDIX D-FIRST REFUSAL OFFER SHEET ...... . ..... . .257
APPENDIX E-FIRST REFUSAL EXERCISE NOTICE ........... 258
APPENDIX F-WAIVER OF FREE AGENT RIGHTS .... . .... . .. 259
APPENDIX G-NOTICE OF TERMINATION .................260
APPENDIX H-ACCOUNTANTS' REVIEW PROCEDURES ...... 261

xiii

APPENDIX H.I-ACCOUNTANTS' AGREED·UPON
PROCEDURES REPORT ............ . ...•......... . ...267

APPENDIX H.2-LOCAl ACCOUNTANTS 1 AGREED·UPON
PROCEDURES REPORT . .. . .. . . . .... . . . .. . ..... . .... .268
APPENDIX H.3-REVENUE ACCOUNTING RULES ...........269
APPENDIX I-STANDARD MINIMUM PRE-SEASON

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION . .. ..... .. .... . . . . .. .. ... ..279
APPENDIXJ-AcruARIALASSUMPTIONS AND
AcruARIAL COST METHOD ............ ..... .. .. .. . .282
APPENDIX] .l-HEAITH REIMBURSEMENT PIAN
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS AND FUNDING . . ... . .. . .. .285
APPENDIX K-EXIENSION CHART .......................287
APPENDIX L-oFF-SEASON WORKOUT RULES ............. 288
APPENDIX M-PSL EXAMPLES ......... ... . ......... . ... .289
APPENDIX N-WRIITEN WARNING GOOD FAITH EFFORT ... 296
APPENDIX O-SAlARY CAP CALCUlATION EXAMPLE ....... 297
APPENDIX P-AD]USTMENT MECHANISM EXAMPLES ....... 298

INDEX . .. .. .. .... . ... . ..... . ... . . . ....... . . . .... ... .302

xiv

Article IX, Non-Injury Grievance

ARTICLE IX
NON-INJURY GRIEVANCE
Section 1. Definition: Any dispu re (hereinafter referred to as a "grievance")
arising after the execution of this Agreement and involving the interpretation of, application of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement,
the NFL Player Contract, or any applicable provision of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws pertaining to tenus and conditions of employment of NFL
players, will be resolved exclusively in accordance with the procedure set
forth in this Article, except wherever another method of dispute resolution
is set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, and except wherever the Settlement Agreement provides that the Special Master, Impartial Arbitrator, the
Federal District Coun or the Accountants shall resolve a dispute.
Section 2. Initiation; A grievance may be initiated by a player, a Club, the
Management Council, or the NFLPA. A grievance must be initiated within
forty-five days from the date of the occurrence or non-occurrence upon
which the grtevance is based, or within forry-five days from the date on
which the facts of the matter became \.mown or reasonably should have
been known to the party initiating the grievance, whichever is later. A player need not be under contract to a Club at the time a grievance relating [Q
him arises or at the time such grievance is initiated or processed.
Section 3. Filing: Subject [0 the provisions of Section 2 above, a player or
the NFLPA may initiate a grievance by filing a written notice by certified
mail or fax with the Management Council and furnishing a copy of such notice to the Club(s) involved; a Club or the Management Council may i.nitiate a grievance by filing written notice by certified mail or fax with the
NFLPA and furnishing a copy of such notice to the player(s) involved. The
notice will set forth the specifics of the alleged action or inaction giving rise
to the grievance. If a grievance is filed by a player without the involvement
of the NFLPA, the Management Council will promptly send copies of the
grievance and the answer to the NFLPA. The party [Q whom a non-injury
grievance has been presented will answer in writing by certified mail or fax
within seven days of receipt of the grievance. The answer will set forth admissions or denials as to the facts alleged in the grievance. If the answer denies the grievance, the specific grounds for denial will be set forth. The answering party will provide a copy of the answer to the player(s) or Club(s)
involved and the NFLPA or the Management Council as may be applicable.
Section 4. Ordinary and Expedited Appeal: If a grievance is not resolved
after it has been filed and answered, either the player(s) or Club(s) involved,
or the NFLPA, or the Management Council may appeal such grievance by
filing a written notice of appeal with the Notice Arbitrator and mailing
copies thereof to the party or parties against whom such appeal is taken,

23

.1