Vick Gets to Keep $20M Bonus

Overturning an October ruling by a special master, a federal judge ruled today that fallen football superstar Michael Vick can keep a $20 million bonus that the Atlanta Falcons had sought to recover from its former quarterback.

Once Vick made the team's 80-man roster, he earned the so-called roster bonus under the terms of the National Football League's collective bargaining agreement, and it could not thereafter be forfeited, reports the Associated Press. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge David Doty in Minneapolis.

As discussed in an earlier ABAJournal.com post, Vick is now serving a 23-month federal prison sentence. It was imposed late last year following his guilty plea to a conspiracy charge filed in connection with an illegal dogfighting operation.

Additional coverage:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Judge: Vick can keep $20 million bonus"