Legal - Football Wiretap

Josh Gordon Issued Speeding Ticket, Passenger Had Marijuana

Nov 24, 2014 12:47 PM

Josh Gordon was issued a speeding ticket over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

According to the citation, Gordon's 2014 grey Mercedes-Benz SUV was clocked going 74 miles an hour in a 60-mile-per-hour zone north of state route 82 on Interstate 71 North at 9:43 p.m. on Sunday, May 25.

Gordon is summoned to appear in court on Wednesday, June 4 to dispute the citation.

"We are gathering information regarding the situation," Browns general manager Ray Farmer said in a statement released by the team. "We will not have any further comment until the appropriate time."

In addition to his speeding ticket, Gordon's passenger was issued a citation for possession of marijuana in an amount under 200 grams during the traffic stop. The marijuana was found in a blue bag with identification, and Gordon's passenger admitted it was theirs on the scene.

Matthew Florjancic/WKYC

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Legal

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NFL May Begin Automatic Suspension For First DUI Offense

Dec 15, 2014 4:44 AM

The NFL and NFLPA continue to work toward agreement to implement HGH testing and there could be a few additional changes in the new policy.

According to ProFootballTalk, a player "deemed legally responsible" for his first DUI offense would be hit with a one-game suspension and a fine of one game check.

For instance, if a player was arrested with illegal drugs, the NFLPA wants that player's case to go before an independent arbitrator. The NFL would want Roger Goodell to hear a case of that nature.

John Breech/CBS Sports

Tags: Legal, Suspension

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Jim Irsay Charged With Two Misdemeanors

May 26, 2014 9:02 PM

Jim Irsay has been charged with two misdemeanors after a March driving arrest, according to multiple media reports.

Irsay has been charged with one count of operating while intoxicated, a C misdemeanor, and one count of operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the body, also a C misdemeanor. The substances were oxycodone and/or hydrocodone.

Irsay returned to the Indianapolis Colts' war room on the second day of the NFL Draft.

Roger Goodell has yet to address how he plans to discipline Irsay, saying he wants to see how the legal case proceeds.

ESPN

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Legal

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Ray Rice Accepted Into Pretrial Intervention Program

May 22, 2014 3:04 PM

Ray Rice has been accepted into a pretrial intervention program that will result in the dismissal of his assault charge if he completes the program.

Rice will have to attend the program for the minimum of one year. If he successfully completes it, the third-degree charge of aggravated assault stemming from the incident on Feb. 15 involving Janay Palmer, who is now his wife, will be dismissed.

The pretrial intervention program is a diversion program that permits certain defendants (particularly first-time ones) to avoid formal prosecution.

ESPN

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Legal, Suspension

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Bon Jovi Receives Endorsement As Strong Prospective Owner From Jones

Sep 12, 2014 6:12 AM

Jon Bon Jovi has joined Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment as the principal members of a Toronto group to bid on the Buffalo Bills.

Jerry Jones has endorsed Bon Jovi as a strong prospective owner.

"He knows many of the owners personally. All owners know of him," Jones said of Bon Jovi. "But he knows them personally. He's committed, he's very genuine.

"You talk about individuals and talk about their qualification -- there hasn't been anybody more qualified to be involved in sports ownership, or certainly ownership in the NFL, than Jon Bon Jovi."

ESPN

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Legal

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NFL's New Drug Policy Expected To Decrease Marijuana Penalty

Sep 29, 2014 5:44 PM

The NFL's new drug policy will include changes specific to marijuana and other recreational drugs.

A source told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the renegotiation of the drug policy, which has been going on since 2011 and includes testing for HGH, also will significantly increase the threshold for a positive marijuana test and reduce the punishments for violations involving that drug.

The source said the NFL's policy on marijuana is outdated, pointing out that WADA has a higher threshold for a positive test than the NFL currently does, and in need of updating.

The NFL has continued to insist that the commissioner have final say over discipline matters.

The changes are unlikely to impact the length of Josh Gordon's ban.

Dan Graziano/ESPN

Tags: Legal, Suspension

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Greg Hardy Arrested On Domestic Violence Charge

Sep 24, 2014 9:00 PM

Greg Hardy has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence involving his girlfriend.

The charge is a misdemeanor.

Hardy signed a franchise tag tender with the Carolina Panthers in March.  He will make $13.1 million next season if he doesn't sign a long-term extension before July 15.

WSOC

Tags: Carolina Panthers, Legal

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NFL Cap Increases By $10M Per Team But Rookie Pool Stays Flat

May 19, 2014 2:59 PM

The NFL's salary cap went up $10 million per team from 2013 to 2014.

But league sources say the rookie pool did not change.

The only adjustment came from the mandatory $15,000 increase in minimum salary that was negotiated in 2011 as part of the new labor deal.

Mike Florio/ProFootballTalk

Tags: Legal, Misc Rumor

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Goodell: Buffalo Needs New Stadium For Bills To Remain Viable

May 19, 2014 11:59 PM

Roger Goodell believes the Buffalo Bills need a new stadium in order to remain viable.

"Yes, I do," Goodell told reporters Wednesday in New York City. "We said at the time when they entered into a new lease that this is really a short-term solution. We need to find the right long-term solution that's good for the community and can help the Bills to continue to be successful in western New York."

The Bills are entering the second year of a 10-year lease with Erie County to play in Ralph Wilson Stadium, which opened in 1973. Despite $130 million in renovations this offseason, the facility lacks the amenities of most others in the NFL.

The Associated Press reported Saturday that the Bills could be sold by July and the sale approved by NFL owners as soon as the league's meetings in October.

The Bills' lease prevents them from moving until early 2020.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Legal

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NFLPA Files Grievance Over Jimmy Graham's Franchise Tag

Sep 4, 2014 2:14 AM

The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance on Graham's behalf, arguing the franchise tag the New Orleans Saints placed on him in February should pay him like a wide receiver, not a tight end, a person close to Graham said on Wednesday.

The grievance was filed after long-term contract talks between Graham and the Saints continued to stall.

The difference between the franchise tender amounts is nearly $5.3 million, with the tight end tag worth $7.035 million — the amount of the tender Graham has not signed — and the receiver tag worth $12.312 million.

Tom Pelissero/USA Today

Tags: New Orleans Saints, Free Agent Rumor, Legal, Misc Rumor

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Marcell Dareus Arrested On Drug Charges
Marcel Dareus is the Pro Bowl defensive lineman of the Bills.

ESPN