Michael Vick Fallout
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by Aharner
As news got out that the NFL isn't planning on suspending Michael Vick for his indictment on his involvement with dog fighting, many fans, media members, sponsors, and professional organizations let their voices be heard.
Boycotts are being planned. E-mails are being sent. Scernios are being played out in people's minds.
Tomorrow morning, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have a planned protest in front of the league offices on Friday morning.
> "This is to show our frustration over the NFL's failure to take a strong stance against Michael Vick." ~ PETA spokesman Dan Shannon
While I tend to not agree with PETA most of the time, I actually agree this time. It's frustrated to watch as Pac Man Jones sits and Vick plays. Yes, Jones has had 10 run-ins with police, but for nothing as hanus as dogifghting.
To go with PETA's boycott, league sources say that they have received numerous calls and e-mails asking for Vick to be suspended. The Humane Society of the United States, said that 100,000 e-mails were sent to commissioner Roger Goodell through their website, and the 10 million member organization is planning a boycott.
> "If the NFL punts its responsibility and allows Vick to play, there will be significant public pressure brought to bear. And this is not some top-down decry. It's something the people in the organization will demand we do. The public is clamoring for action." ~ Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States.
But according to a Yahoo! Sports article, there are several options for the NFL/Atlanta Falcons to take on the star quarterback.
Suspension: This is the option that I think makes the most sense. I understand that Goodell may want to be sure that Vick is at some kind of fault with this, but he appears to be holding a double-standard now by not putting down his fist.
Falcons make a decision: The Falcons could give Vick a paid leave of abscense, but what is the point? Pay Vick for nothing and tick off all the fans.
Vick takes off a year: Like this would happen. It would help his image a lot, but he isn't going to walk away from $6 million without a fight.
Falcons cut Vick: A longshot possibility, but I don't foresee it anytime soon. The Falcons would save around $400,000, but I can't see them letting a player of Vick's caliber go. But, if he is found to be guilty, then this could become reality.
Do nothing: Now this seems to be where we are headed. The NFL can wait for this outcry to die down and hope Vick has nothing to be guilty over. But, it could also mean big distraction is a trial begins during the season.
This incident could cost Vick financially as well as endorsement deals may go flying out the window. Remeber back in 2005 when Kobe lost a lot of deals with his incident. And mind you that Vick's dogfighting is worse then Kobe's assault case.
It is believed that AirTran and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America have already dropped Vick's sponsorship.
See all my Vick coverage at:
