New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Concerns over lawyer pay in NFL deal

When the NFL concussion settlement was announced nearly four months ago, the more than 4,500 players who had sued the league were assured that no part of the $765 million deal would go to lawyers.

But a recent dispute involving the players' lead negotiator confirms that not only was that statement misleading, some lawyers stand to receive multiple paydays, according to documents and emails obtained by "Outside the Lines."

The development comes as the settlement drags into its 16th week, still without preliminary approval from the federal judge overseeing the case. And while "Outside the Lines" has learned that preliminary approval could come soon, interviews with attorneys and former players find growing discontent on multiple fronts, including the unusually long delay delivering the case to the judge and a veil of secrecy that continues to shield basic information from the plaintiffs.

The latest concerns are that negotiators may reward themselves at the expense of injured athletes.

The dispute arose when Christopher Seeger, the players' lead negotiator, tried to arrange an agreement to receive a 10 percent cut of any money awarded to a 79-year-old former NFL player, Billy Kinard. Seeger quickly withdrew the proposal after the player's attorney challenged it by calling the arrangement "most troubling" and suggesting that Seeger was inappropriately using his position to benefit financially.

Quote:

Highlights of the proposed settlement between the NFL and more than 4,500 ex-players who sued over concussion-related injuries:
PDFs:
• Details of proposed settlement
• Judge Anita Brody's order

• NFL would pay $765 million plus legal costs, but admits no wrongdoing.

• Individual awards would be capped at $5 million for players suffering from ALS, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.

• Individual awards would be capped at $4 million for deaths from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

• Individual awards would be capped at $3 million for players suffering from dementia.

• Money would go toward medical exams and concussion-related compensation for NFL retirees and their families, and $10 million toward medical research.

• Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia must approve the settlement.

-- The Associated Press