NFL Union Pays Retired Players $26M to Settle Lawsuit

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 5, 2009 - 9:49am.

Los Angeles - The NFL Players Association has agreed to pay $26.25 million to settle a lawsuit brought by retired NFL players, who alleged the union had excluded them from various marketing deals, including the use of their names and likenesses in Electronic Arts' (NASD: ERTS) popular "Madden NFL" video games, the Associated Press reported. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2007 by Hall of Fame quarterback Herb Adderley, on behalf of 2,056 retired players.

A jury awarded the retired players $28.1 million in November 2008; the NFLPA appealed that ruling, but this week opted to pay a settlement equal to about 93% of the initial jury award.

In addition to video games, the players alleged they were not cut in on money generated from their inclusion on sports trading cards and other products.

"It's a great feeling and I'm happy to be a small part of it," Adderley told AP.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/jiuk3 (AP)

http://snipurl.com/jiuh9 (GamePolitics)

http://snipurl.com/jiv92 (DMW previous coverage)

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