Vick’s Mistake de Jour - Negotiating Like he is Still a Star - Global Settlements Don’t make Since in this case

Posted on August 17, 2007
Filed Under Major Developments |

Lester Munson, an attorney and reporter for ESPN, puts together a nice little analysis of Vick’s situation today.  He concludes with the concept that Vick’s attorneys are likely attempting to reach a ‘global settlement’ with all parties involved with what might ultimately constitute a problem for Michael Vick. 

This list of parties includes the federal prosecutors and the NFL and might even include state prosecutors or even the Falcons. (Note Lester only calls out he NFL and the federal prosecutors).

The concept with a global settlement is that a person under fire attempts to settle all outstanding issues with multiple parties all at the same time.  Like a three or four way trade in Monopoly or even a football draft, Vick’s attorneys are probably trying to solve all of their clients problems at once.

It does little good for Michael Vick to escape prosecution or a lengthy stay in a federal prison if he returns to the world permanently banned from playing in the NFL.  Vick has to accomplish the negotiation of his life and get the federal prosecutors reinforced with 7 witnesses to give him an easy out and simultaneously get the NFL to allow him to play football again, someday.

The problem with this scenario is that Michael has transported himself past fame and into infamy.  He is no longer famous, he is famously despised.  The NFL, the sponsors, the Falcons (and most other franchises) are in the business of trading in human chattel.  Its not slavery, but the distinctions are slim.  Vick is no longer a hot commodity.  He used to have the ability to thrill fans despite erratic and lackluster results. 

Fans are not thrilled any more.  To be thrilled, they need to be able to connect and Vick has moved himself to a position that very few people can connect with.  Not to many people across the US have soaked a dog down with water and electrocuted the dog.  Dog fighting does take place, but the vast majority of dog owners across the country do not fight their dogs to the death.  Most pet owners do not kill their dogs when they do not perform well.  Most people in the US have not had the opportunity to earn $130 million and even fewer have had the opportunity to piss it away acting pretending to be a teenage thug at best or living out a sociopathic wet dream at worst.

Its unlikely therefore, that the NFL will negotiate with Vick.  The NFL has everything to loose and nothing to gain from a deal with Vick at this point.  It appears that Vick lied back in April to the NFL commissioner and in doing so he blew up the last bridge to his salvation as an NFL player.

It appears that Vick may have made yet another colossal mistake.  He approached the negotiations like a premadonna, a super star.  He may have just lost his best opportunity for a short stay in prison.  Without a big fat NFL contract to wait for him on his release, and with a potential to attract lawsuits from his former sponsors for breach of contract, Vick might loose his fortune, his freedom, his ability to earn money and then he might enter a downward spiral where the ugly demons that inspired him to kill dogs might rear its head with a more human target.

We talk about the travesty of the death and treatment of the dogs in this case.  That is all to real.  But everyone also knows that the same type of person that would routinely torture and kill an animal is also likely to eventually escalate their brutality and take it out on innocent people.  

Vick has apparently led a dualistic life.  Walking half in the light and half in the dark side.  His lies to the NFL commissioner and his negotiating tactics this week, may have just closed the door on the light and turned him towards a path even darker than the one he has skirted since 2001. 

We still call on the NFL to step up and suspend Vick pending the outcome of the trial or case.  Vick needs to stop the posturing and deal with reality.  He is no longer a famous celebrity or sports star.  He is now just a very famous suspect in a nasty crime.

ESPN - Munson: Latest pleas are powerful evidence against Vick - NFL

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One Response to “Vick’s Mistake de Jour - Negotiating Like he is Still a Star - Global Settlements Don’t make Since in this case”

  1. Plea Deal Could Allow Vick to Strut to Training Camp Next Summer : Campaign to Sack Michael Vick on August 20th, 2007 4:09 pm

    […] plea deal is accurate, its possible that Vick’s attorneys were successful in negotiating a multi party deal between Federal Prosecutors and the NFL.  Such a deal may be unfolding before our eyes as […]

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