Suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton watches during the first half of an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Posted: Sunday, 04 November 2012 11:46AM
Report: Sean Payton's contract voided by NFL
Jay Vise Reporting
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the NFL voided Saints Head Coach Sean Payton's contract "within the past year." The report cites league sources as saying Payton will be a free agent after his season-long suspension is up.
Michael Lombardi of NFL.com and NFL Networks also confirmed Sunday "that the league voided Payton's contract extension, which he received in 2011, because of concerns about the language in it."
According to NFL.com, "the Saints and the NFL discussed the issue many times, but they never found a resolution."
However, NFL.com says the final decision on Payton's status after this season is in the hands of Commissioner Roger Goodell.
A statement from the NFL on the matter: "Our office has made no determination on Sean Payton's contract status with the Saints for next year. All contracts between clubs and their employees must be approved by the commissioner, and we do not comment on specific terms of individual contracts. Any comment regarding the matter should come from Coach Payton and the Saints."
Neither the Saints nor Payton have offered comment yet about the contract.
According to ESPN's Schefter, the issue that triggered the action by the NFL was "one specific clause that would have enabled Payton to walk away from the deal" if GM Mickey Loomis was fired, suspended, or left the Saints organization."
The ESPN report says the NFL ruled that the language would "set a bad precedent for other coaching contracts." The league reportedly rejected the contract "well before Loomis was suspended for the first eight games of the season."
The ESPN and NFL.com articles also notes that though the contract is reportedly voided, Payton's contract could "toll," tying Payton to New Orleans for at least the 2013 season, because the one-year suspension essentially put the contract on hold.
The report also says that the NFL granted Payton permission to do spot work for the New Orleans Hornets to earn income. The Hornets are owned by Saints owner Tom Benson.
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Kristian@wwl.com
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