Sun Aug 26 01:21:28 2007

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Report: Falcons will try to take back $22 million from Vick

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Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly expected to attempt to take back $22 million in bonuses already paid out to quarterback Michael Vick.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Saturday that the team will try to take back part of the money paid to their quarterback as part of the 10- year, $130 million contract Vick signed in December 2004, as a result of the guilty plea that Vick has signed, in which he admits to conducting an enterprise including gambling and the sponsoring and transporting of dogs in dogfighting operations.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay from the league on Friday. Vick is expected to formally enter his plea on Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia and admit he sponsored dogs in dogfights and bought and transported dogs across state lines to engage in animal fighting ventures.

Vick could also lose $71 million in salary he is due over the next seven years if the Falcons elect to terminate his contract. According to the Journal- Constitution, the club can terminate Vick's contract if he "has engaged in personal conduct reasonably judged by club to adversely affect or reflect on club."

Vick signed the guilty plea agreement on Thursday.

The former Pro Bowl selection did not admit to killing any dogs personally or gambling on the fights. The summary of facts accompanying the plea agreement said Vick was aware four dogs were killed in 2002 and six to eight dogs were killed this past April as a result of the "collective efforts" of Vick and two of his co-defendants.

According to the agreement, Vick and his co-defendants -- Tony Taylor, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace -- "rolled" or "tested" Bad Newz Kennels dogs in 2002 by putting them through fighting sessions to determine which ones were good fighters.

"Vick was aware that Phillips, Peace and Taylor killed a number of dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions around this time," the summary states. "Vick did not kill any dogs at this time."

As for the gambling allegations, the summary said Vick did not gamble "by placing side bets on any of the fights" and did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses. But the summary also states that most of the Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick and the quarterback and his three co-defendants claimed purses when their dogs won fights.

The maximum penalties for Vick are five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, full restitution, a special assessment and three years of supervised release but he is expected to receive less jail time for signing the deal.

Multiple media sources have reported that Vick is expected to receive 12 to 18 months in prison.