The NFL’s potential $1 billion plan to compensate retired players for brain trauma could soon close the chapter on a troubled era of league concussion management, AP reports
However, critics lined up to speak Wednesday at a court hearing in Philadelphia believe the NFL is getting off lightly, especially given league revenues topping $10 billion a year.
“The NFL unquestionably can afford to pay more for the harm it has caused,” lawyer Steven Molo wrote recently in an objection filed by seven former players.
The NFL expects about 6,000 former players, or 28 percent, to develop Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia. Their awards could reach $3 million, but they likely would average $190,000, given reductions for advanced age and years in the league.
Comments by Jana Weltzin, Rose Law Group Attorney who represents many NFL players: “The criteria players need to meet to be able to receive even the lowest monetary benefit awards are extremely challenging. Proponents of the settlement fail to mention the limited diagnosis that actually qualify for an award under the settlement and the substantial discounting factors that will be factored into the award, even if the player has a qualifying diagnosis.
“Instead, the focus has been on the ‘unlimited’ cap and the urgency that some players need funds now. The reality is, if the NFL cared that players are in need of money immediately and are in pain and suffering, then the NFL would take action to help those retired players, regardless of their age or number of “qualifying” seasons. Instead, the players who built this multi-billion dollar empire are being discarded and discounted.”
