According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has paid more than $2 million to NFL in legal fees which accumulated during Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension case. The league released an official statement declaring that the issues involving Jones and legal fees from Elliott’s trial were resolved.
NFL’s official statement goes as follows: “After a hearing with the Commissioner and the Finance Committee, the matter of the reimbursement of legal fees has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.”
Jerry Jones and leagues commissioner Rodger Goodell had an appeal hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Like we reported a few days ago, the NFL wanted to sue Jerry Jones for legal fees that were left to pay as a consequence of Ezekiel Elliott’s hearing and Dallas Cowboys efforts to file a lawsuit against owners that supported Goodell and his contract extension. After Elliott’s suspension became official, Jones wanted to block the new deal for current commissioner. In the end, Jerry backed down, and Goodell received new contract last December.
At first, there were rumors that Jones is going to refuse to pay fees and that this matter will also be taken to court. In the end, this didn’t happen. According to NFL’s constitution commissioner has the power to seek reimbursement of legal fees if a team does something of the following: “If a team initiates, joins, has a direct, football-related financial interest in, or offers substance assistance to any lawsuit or other legal, regulatory or administrative proceeding against the league.”
For those of you curious to read NFL constitution the act in question is Resolution FC-6 which was made a part of the league’s constitution in 1997.
With this, the entire saga of Ezekiel Elliott seems to be finally over. Now, Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys front office can turn to upcoming NFL Draft and build their roster for 2018 season. All in all, they have more pressing needs than to chase NFL commissioner through courts.
