Football
Vilma Expected to Meet with Goodell on Suspension Appeal
- Monday, June 11, 2012 6:10 PM
NEW YORK, USA (defend.ht) - New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been granted a meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for June 18 to appeal his season-long suspension for his alleged role in a 'bounty' program.
A person familiar with the appeal said that Vilma's date was set because he went as far as to contact Commissioner Goodell directly, through his personal attorney.
USA TODAY reports that the other players that were suspended may also be heard on that same day.
But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello did not confirm the June 19 hearing, saying "pending a ruling from arbitrator Shyam Das, we are not commenting on the appeals process."
The hearing date for Vilma, who also has sued Goodell for defamation, could be pushed back pending a NFLPA, the players' union, grievance challenging Goodell's authority to punish players for any acts before the past summer's collective bargaining agreement. There is no timetable for Das' decision.
