More than 1,400 fired for misconduct in NFL, union claims
The NFL’s human resources department said on Thursday it has fired more than 1.1 million employees in the past two years for misconduct including sexual harassment, racism, racial profiling and retaliation.
The NFL announced that it had reached settlements with former players and employees, including two of its own players, about the issues raised in the latest investigation.
It also said it has reached a resolution with former NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell over the sexual harassment and retaliation claims against him.
Goodell, who was suspended by the league in October for two games after the commissioner was accused of sexually harassing female players, was fired from the league this month.
The commissioner has said he will not comment further.
Goodell said he was not involved in any settlements with the NFL Players Association.
Goodell was charged with criminal contempt for violating a settlement with the union in which he was charged by the union for his actions against the league.
He is accused of failing to protect league officials from retaliation against former players who complained about his handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case.
The union said on Tuesday that it would file a lawsuit against Goodell over his actions.
Goodell has denied the union’s claims.
He told ESPN in September that he was only looking out for the good of the league and the fans.
“I was not in the business of being an arbitrator,” Goodell said.
The league said on Wednesday it would pay $1.3 billion to settle the claims brought by the NFLPA.
The settlement was reached after the NFL announced in September the names of some of its former players had been released by the labor organization.
The names were the names first reported by the New York Times.
The latest probe comes on the heels of revelations in January that former NFL players Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson were secretly videotaping their wives, and that the NFL was paying them bonuses to cover up their conduct.
The investigation into the conduct of players and their union members has taken a toll on the league’s image and finances, with some of the NFL’s biggest stars leaving.
It has also brought the league into the spotlight as it seeks to rebuild its image with the country.