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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today asked a Louisiana federal court to prevent Peter Ginsberg, the attorney for Saints LB Jonathan Vilma, from seeking discovery as part of Vilma’s defamation lawsuit against the commissioner. Vilma is suing the commissioner as part of the linebacker being named by the league in the alleged bounty scandal. The filings today said Vilma, through Ginsberg, wants to depose Goodell on Oct. 23, and has already subpoenaed former Saints coaches Mike Cerullo and Gregg Williams, as well as league investigator Joe Hummel, seeking documents and their appearances at depositions.

Goodell’s motion for staying discovery cites two reasons. First, the commissioner has sought to have the suit dismissed, and argues that under federal law, discovery cannot proceed until that motion is ruled on by the court. Secondly, Judge Helen Berrigan had suspended the lawsuit until the outcome of the CBA appeals panel process. That panel has essentially stayed Goodell’s suspensions of Vilma and three other players for their alleged role in placing bounties on opposing players until the commissioner clarifies the reasoning behind his decision. Goodell can than re-issue suspensions, if he so chooses.

Goodell Files With Court To Stay Discovery In Vilma

WhoDat!656

Maybe the courts will drag their feet ruing on this and Will Smith can keep playing.

He had a decent game yesterday.

saintfan

You're going to court Roger. Sooner or later you're going to have to come out from behind the CBA and grow a pair.

TXGSP

What does he need more prep time to get everyone's story straight...


Not sure the judge wouldn't grant this request based on the status of the CBA appeal process.

On the other hand, the decision on the appeals shold be complete by October 23, so why grant a stay for discovery on this request. Just leave everything scheduled and HOLD any judgement on the request for a stay on the discovery process.

There is no reason Vilma's attorney shouldn't be able to depose Cerillo, Williams, Hummel or anyone else related to the lawsuit against Der Kommisar.

The discovery process would basically cause Der Kommisar to hand over information. Ginsberg shouldn't have to wait (and probably isn't) for Der Kommisar's "evidence" to investigate Vilma's claims.

An Optimist sees the big picture and views obstacles as temporary hurdles

Marlboro Man

Looks like goodell needs to get his "Ducks in a row" and get his writers time to change statements.

TheOak

Here is the catch.... I think Goodell will drag his heals on reissuing the suspensions. If you read his reasons for the stay, he cites that Berrigan has suspended the lawsuit waiting on Goodell to finish the outcome of the appeals process.. Goodells final will be the end of that process and that is the only card he holds in this suit.. The other card is held by the courts which is ruling in the dismissal.

If Goodell reissues suspensions and gives his rulings, immediately after that the court can rule on the dismissal and Berrigan can reopen the case. That being said, Berrigan can reopen the case anytime she feels like it stating the League has not completed its appeals process in an acceptable time frame.

Look for Ginsberg to file another document soon to address due process forcing Goodell to rule on the bounty four so this can proceed.

Now, once Berrigan reopens the case, she will throw the book at the league for violating the CBA by predetermining guilt since Williams statement is dated months after the original suspension.

The league is in a jam. A bad one.