NFLPA files grievance against league over new conduct policy

The NFLPA filed a grievance against the NFL over the new personal conduct policy.

Because the policy was not collectively bargained under the terms of the, the players’ union requested its expedited grievance be heard immediately.

Owners unanimously approved the policy changes last month. Commissioner Roger Goodell said when trumpeting the completion of the multi-faceted plan with harsher penalties for domestic violence that he had discussions with NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.

The extent of those talks is not known, but the grievance filed Friday implies they were insufficient for players.

“The league’s revised conduct policy was the product of a tremendous amount of analysis and work and is based on input from a broad and diverse group of experts within and outside of football, including current players, former players, and the NFL Players Association,” the league said in a statement. “We and the public firmly believe that all NFL personnel should be held accountable to a stronger, more effective conduct policy. Clearly, the union does not share that belief.”

Multiple high-profile cases last year put Goodell and the NFL under the microscope.

A large part of the objection from the NFLPA is likely to be the appeals process. Goodell remains the stopping point for appeals, and would either hear the appeal of designate a proxy. Within the CBA, Goodell is granted full authority to act in the best interests of the game.

“I know that some people have questioned whether the Commissioner’s office should be the final arbiter,” owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots said in December. “We gave that a lot of thought. (And determined) That’s the one person who understands, long term, what’s in the best interests of the game.”

Neutral arbitration was a demand from the NFLPA in the brief talks.

“Our union has not been offered the professional courtesy of seeing the NFL’s new personal conduct policy before it hit the presses,” the NFLPA said in December. “Their unilateral decision and conduct today is the only thing that has been consistent over the past few months.”