The NFL and the lead attorney for thousands of players suing the league over brain damage suffered on the field have agreed to a revised settlement that does not put a limit on the NFL’s monetary obligations, ensuring that money will be available to all retired players who qualify.
Judge Anita Brody rejected the first $765 million settlement because she was not convinced that the money would last long enough to satisfy all potential claims. Now the NFL is agreeing not to cap its contribution to the fund.
“Today’s agreement reaffirms the NFL’s commitment to provide help to those retired players and their families who are in need, and to do so without the delay, expense and emotional cost associated with protracted litigation. We are eager to move forward with the process of court approval and implementation of the settlement,” said NFL Senior Vice President Anastasia Danias in a statement released by the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
The plaintiffs’ counsels released a statement saying that the new settlement “guarantees that these benefits will be there if needed, and does so without years of litigation that may have left many retired players without any recourse.”
If the court accepts the revised settlement, retired players will be notified and final approval could come this year.