NFLPA Files to Hold NFL, Roger Goodell in Contempt in Adrian Peterson Case

The NFLPA filed a motion on May 19 to hold commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL in contempt of court regarding the Adrian Peterson case.

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Contempt Hearing Headed to Federal Court in August

Monday, June 8

Tom Pelissero of USA Today confirmed that U.S. District Judge David S. Doty will hear the case on August 13.

"The Union made multiple requests to the League office asking the arbitrator, who serves at the direction of the Commissioner, to comply with the law and avoid further litigation," NFLPA president Eric Winston said in a statement following the announcement in May. "Despite our attempts, they have done nothing and leave us no choice but to seek this motion."

Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

Doty ruled in February that the NFL could not use its new personal-conduct policy to punish Peterson, who was suspended for the final six games of the 2014 season.

Peterson was initially placed on the commissioner's exempt list while dealing with child-abuse charges regarding his four-year-old son. The Minnesota Vikings running back reached a plea deal in November and appealed to return immediately, which led to the suspension. He wound up appearing in just one game in 2014, rushing for 75 yards. 

Doty's ruling overturned arbitrator Harold Henderson's initial upholding of the suspension. While the league reinstated Peterson in April and he will be eligible to play in 2015, arbitration is necessary in the case to decide how many game checks he will forfeit. According to the motion, the NFL has consistently delayed making a new ruling. 

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The delay tactics, inconsistencies and arbitrary decision making of the League has continued to hurt the rights of players, the credibility of the League office and the integrity of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In the absence of any action by the NFL's governing board of owners, the players have acted to hold the NFL accountable to our players, the CBA and to the law.

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The NFL is currently appealing the Peterson ruling.  

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.