Union appeals on Owens´ behalf
March 9, 2004
WASHINGTON ( AP) -- The NFL players´ union asked an arbitrator Tuesday to make Terrell Owens a free agent, claiming San Francisco didn´t have the rights to trade the wide receiver to Baltimore.
The case will go to Steven Burbank of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, who was selected jointly by the league and the NFL Players´ Association early last year to arbitrate such contract disputes.
Owens was prevented from becoming a free agent when the NFL Management Council ruled last week that his agent, David Joseph, failed to void the last two years of his contract by a Feb. 21 deadline.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last Thursday, the 49ers traded Owens, one of the top three wide receivers in the league, to Baltimore for a second-round draft choice, turning down a proposal from Philadelphia, the team he said he wanted to play for.
Owens, who would have been the top free agent available this year, reiterated Monday he didn´t want to go to Baltimore.
``So that there is no misunderstanding, regardless of what happens with the grievance, under the present circumstances I do not see myself playing for the Ravens,´´ he said in a fax sent to The Associated Press.
When Owens failed to file the request to void the contract, it was believed he had three seasons left.
However, Gene Upshaw, the union´s executive director, said there are two years left.
``That was a mistake by the 49ers,´´ Upshaw said. ``There are just two years remaining and we think we have a good case for voiding them.´´
Should Burbank rule in Owens´ favor, the trade to Baltimore would be overturned and he would become a free agent. He could command a signing bonus of $10 million to $15 million. If the league ruling is upheld, Owens would be due $5.3 million in salary next season, although the Ravens said they would be willing to renegotiate the contract.