Neutral Arbitrator To Decide Rice Supsension From NFL

In the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) appeal of Ray Rice's indefinite suspension, a neutral arbitrator, rather than someone appointed by National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell, will decide the outcome. Reportedly, the NFLPA executive director, DeMaurice Smith, told the union's executive board that "for the first time ever, the league in the Rice appeal has agreed to a neutral arbitrator" in a personal conduct disciplinary case. Each side submitted candidates for the arbitration and will confer regarding the final choice of the arbitrator. The NFL did say when the appeal was filed that Commissioner Goodell did not intend to personally hear the case. In an email obtained by ESPN, Smith wrote, "This occurs in the context of a difficult set of facts and circumstances [but] it is a positive movement on the overall question of neutral arbitration and a fair personal conduct discipline process." Smith also said the NFLPA will form a commission of diverse experts to assist the union and the league to address "education, prevention, counseling and the discipline process regarding domestic violence and sexual assault." Smith said also that the NFLPA leadership began reaching out to league sponsors to essentially demonstrate that "while we have occasional player issues, that the far majority of players are exactly the type of representatives they want and that we will address the process issues that have caused them concern." See full story here-- http://es.pn/1u8GYap