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WT: Agent: Arrington got cheated


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Agent: Arrington got cheated

By Jody Foldesy

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20040224-120525-2631r.htm

The agent for linebacker LaVar Arrington has accused the Washington Redskins of shortchanging his client $6.5 million in the contract he signed at the end of last season, NFL sources said yesterday.

Agent Carl Poston claims the Redskins turned a version of the contract in to the league that was different from the one the three-time Pro Bowl player agreed to. But the Redskins vehemently deny any wrongdoing, and the NFL Players Association hasn't yet determined whether Poston's accusation has merit.

The NFLPA is investigating the claim and will move forward if it finds enough evidence of impropriety by Washington, sources said. The NFL Management Council would be the arbiter.

But the Redskins issued a quick and detailed denial when contacted about the charge last night. Through team spokesman Karl Swanson, Redskins contract specialist Eric Schaffer had this to say:

"The agent's claim is ridiculous. Details of the proposal were reviewed with the agent numerous times. Details of the contract were reviewed numerous times, and he made changes. The final contract was approved in writing before the agent recommended LaVar sign it. The agent initialed every page to acknowledge his approval before he signed it. That is the contract that was filed with the league."

Neither Poston nor NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen returned phone calls seeking comment. NFL spokesman Greg Aeillo said he had heard nothing about the accusation.

Arrington's deal was valued at nine years (including the 2003 season) and $68 million when it reached the league. Poston apparently believes his client agreed to a nine-year, $74.5 million contract. However, it should be noted Poston initially advertised the deal as nine years, $80 million.

The deal was signed just before the end of last season to take advantage of the Redskins' leftover 2003 salary cap space. But the contract raised immediate questions from league observers because it gave Washington cap relief and more contract years but rewarded Arrington with little extra value.

The NFLPA has not determined where the contract might have lost the $6.5 million. Several sources indicated Poston might have to come forward with more evidence for a case to be heard.

Even if the charge ends up being dropped, it doesn't help the Redskins' track record of questionable business practices. In the past six months, the organization has drawn attention for suspected tampering in two cases.

The first instance came on the eve of last season, when the New England Patriots released safety Lawyer Milloy. SI.com quoted Milloy saying his agent — incidentally, Poston — contacted the Redskins before his release and that "the Redskins gave us a bigger offer than the Patriots."

The NFL investigated the claim, but apparently no wrongdoing was found. League officials admit tampering is extremely difficult to prove because both parties simply can deny any wrongdoing. In fact, it is well-known in league circles that clubs often have conversations with agents that border on tampering if not broach it.

The Redskins drew attention for potential tampering again this month when a pair of newspaper reports claimed the club had contact with agent Angelo Wright regarding Patriots defensive tackle Ted Washington.

But that instance doesn't seem to be meriting much investigation. The reports didn't seem cognizant of any potential wrongdoing, and Wright and Redskins vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato later denied contact. Aeillo dismissed the Washington situation in a conversation last night.

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This is almost certainly what Lenny the Hutt was talking about. He's close with the Times. The Times has been trying to build a case that the Redskins have violated rules for a couple of weeks. That's why they are hammering it here in this article even as the quotes seem to indicate there's nothing to it. I give Foldesy credit for including the dismissive nature of the league and the direct dismissive quotes. Some writers at the Times wouldn't have done that.

But the agend here is clear.

This is the league matter almost certainly that Lenny hinted at.

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How can this be proved if it is true? I mean technically it's in the same boat as me signing a contract with my work, redoing the contract and then bringing my version to court to say I got cheated.

Who's got the ink on which paper is where the law will stand.

And aren't the agents of Lavar those shady ass mofos?

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If this story is true and the Redskins had Poston initial everything ... then I think he wasn't paying attention and he screwed up his client and owes an aplogy to Arrington. Of course, this would get him fired, so he will blame the Redskins instead.

I can't imagine that the Redskins wouldn't have someone sign these documents. We are talking about millions of dollars. Heck, I had to initial every page when I went to settlement on my house, and believe me, it was well under $1M.

This is completely rediculous.

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Oh the media's gonna have alot of fun with this story.

I guess we now know why LaVar's been a bit less than enthusiastic the last month.

"Hey wait a friggin minute the contract I signed got switched up!! You owe me another SEVEN MILLION BUCKS!!! You friggin thief!!":silly:

Yeah right.

Maybe Poston and Arrington were paying more attention to the Puerto Rican lap dancers Snyder paid for than the contract they were gonna sign. :laugh:

Slick Danny scores another one for the squad.

:cheers:

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This is so sweet I'm tempted to go back to being BattleCatSnyder or something similar. Maybe I can make Snyder a used car salesman and become: BuyaCarfromSnyder.

I can't wait to see what Bang does with this. The comedic potential is limitless.

*

LAVAR: Hey you switched the f*cking papers on me!

SNYDER: No I didn't!!

LAVAR: Yes you did!!

SNYDER: No I didn't! And even if I did you can't prove it!!

LAVAR: I just want my seven million bucks!!

SNYDER: Then you better start selling Arrington jerseys door to door because the free ride is over. Now get the hell out of my office before I tell Vinny to throw you out!!

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Potson is a cut-throat negotiator...if he didn't read the final contract closely (and I believe he did, what else is he getting paid to do?), then he gets what he deserves for doing a shoddy job. That being said, you don't like to hear this sort of accusation about your team. I would hope the Redskins are honest and ethical in their dealings with players, if they aren't then in the long run the franchise will get what it deserves

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Guys, the story at the time was that Lavar and Snyder hammered much of the deal out together. I seriously doubt Snyder is going to screw over Lavar on this. He NEEDS Lavar to be a spokesman for the team with other players and the media.

It ought to be interesting to see what Lavar says about this directly though.

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Every signifcant contract has a clause that says "This contract contains all the provisions of the agreement. Any understanding based on any communication outside this contract is considered void and invalid." That means when the agent initialed the pages that was it.

I suggest Poston learn the wise words of Eva Peron - through Madonna:

Don't cry for me Argentina

The truth is I never left you

All through my wild days

My mad existence

I kept my promise

Don't keep your distance

And as for fortune, and as for fame

I never invited them in

Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired

They are illusions

They are not the solutions they promised to be

The answer was here all the time

I love you and hope you love me

Don't cry for me Argentina

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So this is Pasquarelli's big "blockbuster"? Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

It sounds like no wrongdoing can be proven in this case, especially it Arrington's stupid agent initialed every frickin page of the contract. No doubt that Pasquarelli will write a big article about it tomorrow, though, and will predict gloom and doom, and make the Skins look like huge deceivers. I wish I had his e-mail address. :cuss:

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Originally posted by WVSkinsfan

Did'nt Lavar just sign a big assed contract?

Yes he signed a "big assed contract".

The problem is that he thought he was gonna get this...

big_ass.jpg

LAVAR: Damn this is a "big assed contract". Where do I sign it Mr Snyder?

SNYDER: (pointing to one page with his left hand while surreptitiously pocketing another page with his right hand) You can sign right here son. And please call me Dan.

LAVAR: Gee thanks mister... uh I mean Dan. It's great to finally be a Redskin for life.

But what he really got was this...

Ahrrgh...jpg

LAVAR: Dan what happened to my seven million...YEEEOUCH!!!

SNYDER: Didn't I tell you to get the hell out of here. And for future reference the name is MISTER SNYDER.

:silly::D :laugh: :40oz:

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