Attorneys: Imprisoned Vick expects return to NFL

Dirty · 11-13-2008, 11:47 PM

Nov. 13, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports

RICHMOND, Va. -- Imprisoned NFL quarterback Michael Vick expects to return to pro football, according to his bankruptcy attorneys who laid out a plan to pay creditors based in part on his anticipated earnings.
"The Debtor has every reason to believe that upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living," Vick's attorneys wrote in a disclosure statement filed before a hearing Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Norfolk.
The former Atlanta Falcons star is serving a 23-month sentence in a federal penitentiary for bankrolling a dogfighting ring in rural Virginia and is scheduled to be released on July 20.
Once the NFL's highest-paid player, Vick has assets of $16 million and liabilities of $20.4 million, according to the court filing in which attorneys wrote in extraordinary detail about Vick's dizzying financial mess -- listing a fleet of vehicles, properties, businesses and the extended family he supported.
A Vick attorney said a committee representing all his debtors has proposed a plan to pay off his debt. A judge scheduled a hearing for mid-December on the appointment of a trustee, which Vick's attorneys oppose.
"The committee attorney acknowledged that there's been a lot of progress, so we're hopeful," Peter R. Ginsberg told the Associated Press.
Vick still faces two state felony counts -- dogfighting and animal cruelty. They carry maximum prison terms of 10 years, but under a plea deal, Vick would serve a suspended sentence and a year of probation.
He is scheduled to appear in Surry County Circuit Court on Nov. 25.
Paul K. Campsen, another Vick attorney in the bankruptcy proceeding, said he had not had any contact with the NFL, nor had Vick. While Vick still has a contract with the Falcons, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would have the final say on his return, which he is counting on after he is released.
"That's the hope," Campsen said in an interview. "I think efforts will be made once we get past this."
The attorneys laid out a payment plan to Vick's creditors that includes expected NFL earnings and possible signing bonuses.
Campsen said the reorganization plan involves those expected payments and liquidation of his larger assets.
The assets include four homes in Virginia and Georgia valued at a total of $6 million; an interest in two farms; and an interest in more than 20 businesses, from a horse farm to liquor stores.
Ginsberg said if the sides can't agree in December, another hearing will be held in January. Vick was ordered to attend.

Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

Attorneys: Imprisoned Vick expects return to NFL - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Jory · 11-14-2008, 10:01 AM

I expect to see Vick back playing in the NFL. He was never good enough to be paid all the money he was making, but he is not horrible. A few teams would take him right now and a few more are just an injury away from where he would look pretty good.

He will probably work his ass off and earn plenty of money to get those debts covered.

There are obvious PR issues in having him back but I don't think you can deny a guy a right to make a living once he has done his time. I have no doubt there would be some animal rights protests outside any stadium where he would be playing. I am a big animal lover so I would get that. But I doubt it would be enough to keep him right out of the league.

Of course a lot depends on the whims of Emperor Goodell.

The General · 11-14-2008, 03:20 PM

Every time I think of Virginia Tech & Atlanta Falcons I wonder about Mike and what impact he will serve for a team when he returns.

Jory · 11-15-2008, 01:08 PM

There would be two types of impact. The PR circus. And his actual skills.

Do you have an opinion or guess at how things might go?

asianhandicap · 11-15-2008, 01:35 PM

I think that Vick will have a tough time finding a team that will take him for the amount of money he is looking for. The guy´s got talent that´s for sure but how many clubs will want to take the risk in having bad publicity if he decides to do something stupid again and on top of that, the Vick name isnt exactly known for being stable and law obeying.

I think that he´ll get a gig somewhere but no way that anyone will pay give him a $50 million contract

The General · 11-15-2008, 01:43 PM

Welcome aboard asianhandicap

Reno Paul · 11-15-2008, 03:49 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing Vick in San Francisco. Boy do the Niners need help at the QB spot.

Jory · 11-16-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reno Paul

I wouldn't mind seeing Vick in San Francisco. Boy do the Niners need help at the QB spot.

And that's exactly the kind of thinking that will get him back in the league. I'm sure a few teams feel that way now. A few more teams are one injury away from saying, "Let's see what he can do."

I doubt he will be expecting a ton of money off the hop. That Atlanta contract is ancient history. He'll have to perform to make money.

But if he has one good year, there will be idiots looking to throw huge money at him again.

The wild card though is the public reaction to the animal cruelty. Will it be so bad that it effects his viability regardless of his play? I don't think so. I don't doubt there will be some protesters outside his games forever, but I think society as a whole is forgetful/forgiving enough that he will be able to move on.

NickPappagiorgio · 11-16-2008, 02:46 PM

I can see him in Oakland.

Reno- If Singletary stays on SF there is no way I can see Vick there.

YeahBoyHowdy · 11-17-2008, 08:10 AM

I can see him in a Detroit Lions jersey.

Dirty · 11-17-2008, 08:53 AM

Guys.. don't take this the wrong way... He has paid his debt to society by going to Prison... What he did was classless and reprehensible... but you can't lose site of the fact that is was only Dogs.. I love dogs.. but it is not like he was having Human slaves fight to the death or abusing and raping kids... Good gracious.. when is enough enough.... Damn we got Ray Lewis stalking the NFL for years after he was involved in a Fucking Murder.... what Vick did is nothing as bad as that.. It is not as bad as Travis Henry or Jamaal Lewis Dealing Dope....

Do I want him back in Atlanta.. NO.. I didn't want him here before the Dog fighting stuff... but damn he deserves another shot.. and he can help almost any team in the NFL with his Athletic ability and with the state of NFL QB's nowadays.. he is better than 50% of them in the league now.

YeahBoyHowdy · 11-17-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty

Guys.. don't take this the wrong way... He has paid his debt to society by going to Prison... What he did was classless and reprehensible... but you can't lose site of the fact that is was only Dogs.. I love dogs.. but it is not like he was having Human slaves fight to the death or abusing and raping kids... Good gracious.. when is enough enough.... Damn we got Ray Lewis stalking the NFL for years after he was involved in a Fucking Murder.... what Vick did is nothing as bad as that.. It is not as bad as Travis Henry or Jamaal Lewis Dealing Dope....

Do I want him back in Atlanta.. NO.. I didn't want him here before the Dog fighting stuff... but damn he deserves another shot.. and he can help almost any team in the NFL with his Athletic ability and with the state of NFL QB's nowadays.. he is better than 50% of them in the league now.

while i can't rationalize what he did, mainly for the utter stupidity of dog fighting. i do believe that after 23 months in jail, he will have paid his debt to society. i do not want him back in atlanta b/c we still have people here that somehow blame the falcons for what happened to vick, and it would just create another circus. however, i do not have a problem with him playing football again. if leonard little can still play in the nfl, then so should michael vick. jmho.

asianhandicap · 11-17-2008, 10:52 AM

I agree with Dirty, the guy has paid his debt to society. Football players and anyone in the public spotlight are suppose to be role models though and it hurts to see thing like that happen.

I´m a big Falcons fan and I remember they year he came. He was kind of like the Falcon´s new great hope and when their team was finally getting to come together, that crap happened.

This season, the Falcons are doing better than expected but I think that if he would have stayed on, the Falcons would be a much better team then theyt are today. Now, its back to square one in getting a playoff franchise for the Falcons again.

I hope for Vick that he will get back on his feet and not end up like Rocker in MLB.

cassiusclay · 11-17-2008, 02:29 PM

he got a stiffer sentence than most NFL players who rape, do drugs or murder someone. i read somewhere that if he had raped someone he would still be playing, f'ed up society we live in. i don't condone dog fighting but 2 years in jail? seems steep to me.