NFL denies making proposal to cut Vilma suspension

A spokesman for the NFL on Monday firmly rebutted an ESPN report that indicated the league was ready to cut a deal with suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

"(The) report about a settlement offer by the league to Jonathan Vilma is completely inaccurate. No such settlement offer has been made. We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time," Greg Aiello said in the statement.

ESPN, however, stood by its report, which cited unnamed sources close to the ongoing discussions between the league and the players' union.

According to the authors, the offer came as part of those talks, which resumed on Monday.

According to Tulane University Sports Law Professor Gabe Feldman, any type of compromise by the NFL will be looked upon as a loss for the league.

?The NFL is in tough position because they have been very vocal and very forceful about the evidence they have, and they have cited 18,000 documents; 50,000 pages. They had a former federal prosecutor review the evidence. They have had these lengthy suspensions. They?ve said, ?We need to do this. We need to protect our players.?

"And it?s clear that there was a bounty system in place. So now, it?s tough for the NFL to back up and say, ?Well, although everything we said is still true, we?re now going to reduce a suspension.? The question is: Why would they reduce the suspension now?" Feldman told WDSU.

Vilma has filed suit in federal court challenging his year-long ban. It came as part of the league's unprecedented sanctions against Saints players, coaches and General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Vilma would have to drop his lawsuit as part of the deal, the sources said.

The NFL has accused Vilma and the others of orchestrating a multi-year bounty program in violation of NFL rules.

In his lawsuit Vilma counters that the league -- and, in particular, Commissioner Roger Goodell -- have harmed his reputation through actions and statements regarding his alleged conduct. A judge, meanwhile, is considering whether to grant a request that would stay the suspension via injunction.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48530278/ns/local_news-new_orleans_la/

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