In an arbitrator ruling on Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans, lost a battle with Quarterback Steve McNair. The Tennessee quarterback was banned from using the Titan training facility during the off-season, for personal training. The arbitrator ruled that as long as the quarterback still is under contract with the Titans, they couldnt ban him from the premises. This was a case that ran for more than seven hours between the Titans and the NFL players Union, where the arbitrator John Feerick, ruled that the Titans breeched McNairs contract. The Unions case was that the Titans either release McNair, from his current contract or allow him to use the facility. Although this may have been somewhat of a victory for the star quarterback, and the NFL players association in a whole it is upsetting that it has to go to these lengths. The reason that the Titans did not want McNair training at the facility in the first place, was due to fear of liability against the $23.46 million dollar salary cap smack, should McNair be injured on the grounds. There have been no talks to lower the payment or buyout costs, and all of this basically comes down to some quirky Tennessee state laws. This goes without saying that the Titans in anyway violated the collective bargaining agreement. The Titans did issue a statement, that they do welcome McNair back to the facility for the off-season programs, albeit the fact that McNair is still seeking compensation for missed workout time. While the Titans are not scheduled for an on field workout session until June 13th, McNair is allowed to workout in the training facility while waiting. McNair is slated to earn $9 million dollars for the upcoming season with the Titans. |
