Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick faces charges of animal cruelty and sponsorship of dogfighting operations across state lines, but his legal troubles are the least of the concerns facing the Atlanta Falcons franchise. . Although Vick ultimately faces a jail sentence if convicted, what happens between now and then could affect the organization for years to come.
The indictment puts the Falcons in an awkward position. Many people were outraged by the shocking details of the torture and abuse of the dogs at the hands of Vick and his associates, described in the 18-page indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District. from Virginia. There is some expectation that the team will take a hard line against Vick. Others are pleading with Vick to have his day in court before public opinion crucifies him.
Formally, the latter is also the opinion of the Falcons organization, which wants nothing more than Vick to stand trial to prove his innocence, if he can. Truth be told, the outcome of the legal action probably won’t make a difference for the team from a business point of view. If Vick is found guilty, he won’t play for the team anyway. And even if Vick is found not guilty, he has already poisoned the team’s season just by being charged. Maybe that’s unfair to Vick, but that’s exactly what has happened in a short time.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement that said in part: “This is a complicated and emotional issue.” And furthermore, although he did not say so explicitly, this is also a dead end situation for his team. Vick is their star player, the face of the franchise, and he’s been a huge draw for ticket sales since the day he was selected as the first overall pick in 2001. And there’s a financial consideration, too. This year alone he is owed $ 6 million in salary. Blank must find some way to balance what Vick represents as the star of the organization and the consequences that will come if Vick just plays as much of the season as he can.
The problem is that if Vick plays, he will draw the ire of protesters throughout the season, as well as considerable attention from fans and the media alike. Every Falcons press conference, every Michael Vick news story will mention the indictment and the trial, whether Vick is ultimately found innocent or guilty. And what if the Falcons have a losing season? Suddenly, that scrutiny is exacerbated to the extreme.
The alternative can come down to a silent agreement between Blank and Vick. Blank also said in his statement that “there are a wide range of interests and legal issues that must be carefully considered as we move forward, including our need to respect the due process to which Michael is entitled.” While it may appear that Blank prefers to wait for legal action to end, it may also ultimately indicate a gentlemen’s agreement that Vick would take the season off, likely a paid leave. This is also a less than ideal solution. The Falcons traded quarterback Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans. Heading into the season, they have Joey Harrington and Chris Redman to back Vick.
Regardless of who steps in to replace him, releasing Vick may not be an option for financial reasons. Vick will have $ 13.57 million against the salary cap this season and $ 15.1 million in 2008. Due to his 10-year contract and a $ 37 million signing bonus, the Falcons would save essentially nothing to cut him in any given year.
And none of this takes into account the consequences that will affect the Falcons tangentially. It already started after an announcement by National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell that Vick would be allowed to practice and play for the Falcons while federal investigators continue their case against him. The activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals immediately issued a public protest and today will take your complaint in person to the league’s main office. PETA spokesman Dan Shannon has called the charges against Vick “staggering” and there is talk of boycotts against the Falcons organization and / or the NFL itself if Vick is allowed to play. The Humane Society has also said it will protest in some way.
Also after the indictment was announced, Nike released a line of exclusive shoes with Vick’s name on it. The Air Zoom Vick V has been shelved indefinitely, although Nike’s other Vick-branded shoes will still be available in retail stores.
There will be more of these kinds of reactions as companies and other athletes strive to move away from the negative stigma that Vick’s actions have placed on him, the Falcons and the NFL. Some people will unconditionally support Vick. Others will say that he is being singled out for his status as a high-profile athlete. But all these things are really out of place. As NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy succinctly put it, “We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has filed an indictment against him.”
That’s right, guilty or not, the price is already paid.
