Hutchinson case going to arbiter

[Vikings4ever 568]

Seahawks | Arbitrer to determine Hutchinson's fate

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:34:00 -0800

 

Gregg Bell, of the Associated Press, reports the future fate of Seattle Seahawks transition free agent OG Steve Hutchinson will be decided by an arbitration process. That will delay the Sunday deadline, March 19, for the team to match an offer to Hutchinson by the Minnesota Vikings. The NFL Players Association said Friday, March 17, that the league has filed a claim on behalf of the Seahawks contending a clause in the offer sheet Hutchinson signed with the Vikings last weekend circumvents the league's labor contract. The clause in question would guarantee Hutchinson the entire contract sum if Hutchinson is not the team's highest-paid offensive lineman. NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed that the NFL had filed the case. Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFLPA, said the union will argue against the Seahawks' and league's claims. "They say the clause circumvents our collective bargaining agreement. It is our belief that it does not," Berthelsen said. Berthelsen said the union's interpretation of the issue is that the clause is permitted by the CBA because it is a "principal term" of the agreement.

[Guest stevejohnson]

I heard about that "highest paid OL" clause.....I'm betting the Vikings over stepped here and Hutch goes back to Seattle, which is great news for S. Alexander!

[Arsenal 3]

I doubt he goes back to Seattle, but I imagine they will have to come up with a more traditional contract for him.

[Guest stevejohnson]

I doubt he goes back to Seattle, but I imagine they will have to come up with a more traditional contract for him.

 

Seattle has teh right to match ANY contract he gets and with the cap increase, now have the money to do it....

[culboarder11 0]

I doubt he goes back to Seattle, but I imagine they will have to come up with a more traditional contract for him.

 

If they are forced to make a more traditional contract for Hutch, he will be in Seattle.

[DrJ 0]

If they are forced to make a more traditional contract for Hutch, he will be in Seattle.

 

They could always give him a $20 million roster bonus or something instead. As long as Minnesota has more cap space than Seattle, they can structure it so it screws Seattle big time.