Chatecke » Paying far more than market value pushed them

TORONTO -- The CFL Players Association says disgruntled receiver Chris Williams is now a free agent following an Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling. On Thursday, the court issued a ruling quashing an arbitrators decision in June that Williamss contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was binding even though the club violated the CFLs collective bargaining agreement with the CFLPA. "It is the position of the CFLPA that Chris Williams is now a free agent and able to sign a contract in the NFL or another CFL club," the union said in a statement. Dan Vertlieb, Williams agent, didnt immediately respond to an email request for comment from The Canadian Press. Williams, 25, the CFLs top special-teams player last season, went to arbitration asking to be released from the final year of his contract with Hamilton to reportedly pursue NFL offers. In June, arbitrator E.E. Palmer found the Ticats violated the CBA by negotiating with an unregistered agent but said the penalty was a fine and not the termination of the contract. However, the Ticats werent fined because the CFLPA did not request one be imposed. Palmer also found Hamilton had picked up the option on Williamss contract last October in accordance to the CBA but didnt use the exact language surrounding the renewal as laid out in the agreement. But he also ruled that wasnt enough to null the agreement. Both the Ticats and CFL said theyll appeal Thursdays ruling. The CFL informed all NFL teams on that Williams remains the property of the Tiger-Cats. "We plan to appeal todays decision in the Chris Williams case to the Court of Appeal," the CFL said in a statement. "Until that appeal is exhausted, our position is that Williams remains under contract to the Tiger-Cats." Added the Ticats: "Our position remains that Williams is under a legal and binding contract with the Tiger-Cats. We have faith that the outcome of our appeal will validate that position. We plan no further comment at this time as the matter remains before the courts." Williamss bitter contract dispute with the Ticats has spilled over into the start of the regular season as the star receiver has yet to report to the CFL club. The CFLPA contends the arbitrators decision was "quashed and set aside on the grounds that the letter purporting to exercise Chris Williamss option was not clear and was not capable of being construed as a clear communication of an intention to exercise the option." Williams signed a deal with Hamilton in 2011 that was negotiated by an agent not registered with the CFL Players Association. Williams reportedly contends he wasnt made fully aware of the conditions pertaining to his rookie contract and that Hamilton didnt offer him the one-year plus an option deal but rather just the two-year plus an option. "There is no clear and unequivocal language along the lines, The Hamilton Tiger-Cats exercises its option to require you to play for another year for this club," Justice Gladys Pardu said in her ruling Thursday. "The language used in the less is not capable of being construed as a clear communication of an intention to exercise the option and the arbitrators conclusion that it was clear was unreasonable. "The subjective intentions of the Tiger-Cats are no substitute for clarity in expressing the intention to exercise the option. On this ground, the arbitrators decision must be quashed." The court also ruled the Ticats must pay court costs of $8,500. Williams was reportedly scheduled to earn base salary of $48,000 this season. That pales in comparison to both the NFLs minimum salary, which is US$405,000 this year, or the roughly US$90,000 players south of the border can earn annually on the practice roster. Williams had a Ticats-record 17 TDs last season, including a CFL record six on kick returns. The five-foot-eight, 175-pound Williams was named the CFLs top rookie in 2011 after registering 70 receptions for 1,064 yards and six TDs. He also had 12 kickoff returns for 252 yards and a touchdown while returning 12 punts for 81 yards. Williams was even better last season, with 83 catches for 1,298 yards and 11 TDs. He also led the CFL in punt returns with 78 for 1,117 yards and five touchdowns while adding five missed field goal returns for 256 yards and a TD. Williams played his college football at New Mexico State and joined the NFLs Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2009 but was released with an injury settlement prior to the start of the season. He signed with the Cleveland Browns later in the year and spent time on the practice roster before being let go. Air Max 97 Silver Bullet For Sale . 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Happ capped a challenging season with one of his best efforts of the year.NEW YORK, N.Y. - NFL owners will meet Wednesday to discuss the leagues personal conduct policy, vote on the sale of the Buffalo Bills and look at further international play.These are critical meetings for the owners, with Commissioner Roger Goodell under fire for his handling of the Ray Rice case, and with several high-profile player arrests involving domestic abuse. Although the owners have supported Goodell remaining in the job, they also have been embarrassed by loud criticism of the leagues recent missteps.We need to limit this, Texans owner Robert McNair said of misbehaviour by players, so punishment is not an issue.The discussion of social responsibility and the personal conduct policy initiatives will overshadow approval of the purchase of the Bills by Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula. That transaction is considered certain, with three-quarters of the teams needing to vote in favour of the Pegulas.Owners will be updated on the Los Angeles stadium situation; TV ratings, attendance and fan interest. They also will receive reports on the leagues games in London three this year for the first time, with two still to come. The NFL has an eye on adding more London games, perhaps as soon as next season.But the spotlight will be on steps the NFL is taking to educate everyone in the league on domestic violence and sexual assault and abuse. The owners will view a short video, and then will see about a 40-minute presentation by the leagues player engagement department about educating everyone in the NFL on the subjects.Heading into Wednesdays meetings, Goodell sent a memo to the owners in which he explained why the personal conduct policy needs revamping.For the past seven years, the personal conduct policy has brought credit to the league and to NFL players, he wrote. But during that time, we did not sufficiently review the policy to keep it current and ensure that it properly reflected our values and those of our society. Our process for handling allegations of misconduct was not as well-established as it needed to be. We relied almost exclusively on law enforcement and the courts to investigate offences and determine guilt. We did not set and adhere consistently enough to our own standards, and we allowed our disciplinary responses to fall below where they needed to be. Nowhere was this clearer than in the context of domestic violence and sexual assault.These are the first league mmeetings since Goodell admitted he was wrong in giving Rice a two-game suspension for punching his then-fiancee in an elevator.dddddddddddd Following a torrent of criticism, Goodell announced stiffer penalties for future domestic violence cases. After video of the punch was released, the Baltimore Ravens cut Rice and Goodell suspended him indefinitely. Rice has since appealed the suspension.Other abuse cases involving Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson, Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer and Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy also have been made public. All three are on an exempt list, suspended but still being paid.Among the personal conduct items to be addressed, according to Goodells memo:When an allegation of misconduct is made, to what extent should the league or clubs independently review and investigate the matter? Or should we continue to rely on law enforcement to do so?Is it appropriate to remove someone from the workplace prior to an adjudication? If so, when? In particular, should we establish a practice of leave with pay, under which an employee charged with prohibited conduct is put on paid leave status until the charge has been resolved? And what should the parameters of such a leave with pay status be ...?What is the process for placing someone on paid leave status? Should these decisions be made by a third party, or a panel of outsiders, or should they be made by the commissioner?What kind of support services should be available to victims and families, as well as to the accused?What should be the commissioners role in the disciplinary process?What level of accountability should be expected of clubs?In the midst of the domestic conduct maelstrom, the Pegulas offer of $1.4 billion for the Bills was approved by the NFLs finance committee. Promising to keep the franchise in Buffalo honouring the wishes of the teams only previous owner, Ralph Wilson, who died in March, helped the Pegulas pursuit. Paying far more than market value pushed them to the front of the bidding.And on Wednesday, it should lead to confirmation of their ownership.The Pegulas have been a class act and very energized throughout the whole process, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Tuesday. We will be delighted to approve them.They honour the history of the Wilson family and at the same time will take it in a new direction.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '