The Jaguars are learning why it is a very good idea to check the fine print anytime you enter into a contract with another party.
Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN are reporting that Paul Vance has been dismissed as the Jaguars’ senior VP of football operations and general counsel possibly because of a dispute about language in contracts for assistant coaches. Seven fired Jags assistant coaches are raising a stink because they believe they are entitled to their salaries through the 2012 season.
The dispute stems from a clause that states that their contracts “shall terminate on the later of January 31, 2012 or the day after the Jaguars’ last football game of the 2012 season and playoffs.” Vance, who was let go on Sunday, said that it was an error and that the team had no intention “to establish a contract for the 2012 season.” The language provided by Mortensen and Schefter certainly leaves some room to believe otherwise.
No formal grievance has been filed by the seven coaches, who haven’t been named, although that remains a possibility.
