NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 42
Club Discipline

Section 1
Maximum Discipline

(a)

Where it appears in this Article, the term “Progressive Discipline” shall mean: for a first offense, 40% of the maximum fine; for a second offense, 70% of the maximum fine; for a third offense, 100% of the maximum fine. Nothing shall preclude a Club from issuing a warning in lieu of a fine, or from imposing a fine that is less than the maximum amount under this Subsection (a); provided, however, that any subsequent violation of the same provision will subject the player to the maximum Progressive Discipline fine for a second or third offense, as applicable. For example, without limitation to other examples, if a player is late reporting for a mandatory meeting on two occasions, and the Club issues a warning letter to the player on both occasions, the player will be subject to a maximum fine of 100% of the maximum fine (i.e., $2,745 under Subsection 1(b)(ii) below) for any third violation. For the sake of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the Progressive Discipline requirement set forth in this Subsection (a) shall not apply to any fine under Subsections 1(b)(vi)-(ix) or 1(b)(xi), or to any fine or suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the Club under Subsections 1(b)(xvi) or (xvii).

(b)

2020-2021 League Years. For the 2020 and 2021 League Years, the following maximum discipline schedule will be applicable:

(b)(i)

Overweight— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $730 per lb., which fine may be assessed no more than twice per week, with each week beginning on Monday and ending on Sunday, and with each fine at least three days apart (e.g., Monday–Thursday, Tuesday–Friday, etc.).

(b)(ii)

Unexcused late reporting for mandatory off-season minicamp, meeting, practice, transportation, curfew, scheduled appointment with Club physician or trainer, scheduled promotional activity, scheduled workout, weigh-in, or meal— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $2,745.

(b)(iii)

Failure to promptly report injury to Club physician or trainer— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $2,745.

(b)(iv)

Losing, damaging or altering Club-provided equipment— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $2,745, and replacement cost, if any.

(b)(v)

Throwing football into stands— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $2,745.

(b)(vi)

Unexcused late reporting for or absence from preseason training camp by a player under contract except those signed as (1) an Unrestricted Free Agent pursuant to Article 9; or (2) a Drafted or Undrafted Rookie pursuant to Article 7—mandatory fine of $50,000 per day. For the avoidance of doubt, any such fines shall be mandatory, and shall not be reduced in amount or waived by the Club, in whole or in part, but must be paid by the player or deducted by the Club as provided in Section 5(b) of this Article. For purposes of this Subsection (vi) and Subsections (vii)-(ix) below, preseason training camp shall be defined as the period beginning with the mandatory reporting date for any player through the Sunday immediately preceding the first game of the NFL regular season.

(b)(vii)

Unexcused late reporting for or absence from preseason training camp by a player under contract signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent pursuant to Article 9—mandatory fine of $50,000 per day, plus one week’s Paragraph 5 Salary for each preseason game missed. For the avoidance of doubt, any such fines shall be mandatory, and shall not be reduced in amount or waived by the Club, in whole or in part, but must be paid by the player or deducted by the Club as provided in Section 5(b) of this Article.

(b)(viii)

Unexcused late reporting for or absence from preseason training camp by a player under contract signed as a Drafted or Undrafted Rookie, pursuant to Article 7, except for a player in the fifth League Year of his Rookie Contract (the option year) after his Club has exercised the Fifth-Year Option pursuant to Article 7, Section 7— fine of $40,000 per day.

(b)(ix)

Unexcused late reporting for or absence from preseason training camp by a player in the fifth League Year of his Rookie Contract (the option year) after his Club has exercised the Fifth-Year Option pursuant to Article 7, Section 7 shall subject the player to the discipline set forth in Article 7, Section 7(g).

(b)(x)

Unexcused missed mandatory meeting, practice, curfew, scheduled appointment with Club physician or trainer, material failure to follow Club rehabilitation directions, scheduled promotional activity, scheduled workout, weigh-in, or meal— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $14,650.

(b)(xi)

Unexcused failure to report to or unexcused departure from mandatory offseason minicamp—maximum fine of $15,515 for the first missed day, $31,030 for the second missed day, and $46,540 for the third missed day (e.g., a player who misses all three days of minicamp may be fined up to $93,085).

(b)(xii)

Material failure to follow rehabilitation program prescribed by Club physician or trainer— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $14,650.

(b)(xiii)

Unexcused missed team transportation— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $14,650 and transportation expense, if any.

(b)(xiv)

Loss of all or part of playbook, scouting report or game plan— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $14,650 .

(b)(xv)

Ejection from game— Progressive Discipline, up to a maximum fine of $38,785.

(b)(xvi)

Any material curfew violation the night prior to the Club’s game may be considered conduct detrimental to the Club upon player’s first offense.

(b)(xvii)

Conduct detrimental to Club—maximum fine of an amount equal to one week’s salary and/or suspension without pay for a period not to exceed four (4) weeks. This maximum applies without limitation to any deactivation of a player in response to player conduct (other than a deactivation in response to a player’s on-field playing ability), and any such deactivation, even with pay, shall be considered discipline subject to the limits set forth in this section. The Non-Injury Grievance Arbitrator’s decision in Terrell Owens (Nov. 23, 2005) is thus expressly overruled as to any Club decision to deactivate a player in response to the player’s conduct.

(c)

Maximum Discipline in Other League Years. The amounts set forth in Section 1(b) above and Section 7 below are for the 2020 and 2021 League Years. The amounts for the 2022–2030 League Years shall be as set forth in Exhibit A to this Article.

EXHIBIT A
MAXIMUM FINE AMOUNTS FOR 2022–2030 LEAGUE YEARS
Maximum Discipline for:202220232024202520262027202820292030
Overweight / lbs per day $752$775$798$822$847$872$898$925$953
Unexcused late reporting for an activity that has been listed in Article 42, Section 1(b)(ii), e.g., meal$2,827$2,912$2,999$3,089$3,182$3,277$3,375$3,476$3,580
Failure to promptly report injury$2,827$2,912$2,999$3,089$3,182$3,277$3,375$3,476$3,580
Losing, damaging or altering Club-provided equipment$2,827$2,912$2,999$3,089$3,182$3,277$3,375$3,476$3,580
Throwing football into stands $2,827$2,912$2,999$3,089$3,182$3,277$3,375$3,476$3,580
Unexcused late reporting for or absence from preseason training camp by a player under contract, except for those signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent pursuant to Article 9 or a Drafted or Undrafted Rookie pursuant to Article 7; fine for each day of player’s absence $50,000$50,000$50,000$50,000$60,000$60,000$60,000$60,000$60,000
Unexcused late reporting for or absence from pre-season training camp by a player under contract signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent pursuant to Article 9; fine for each day of player's absence, plus one week’s Paragraph 5 Salary for each preseason game missed $50,000$50,000$50,000$50,000$60,000$60,000$60,000$60,000$60,000
Unexcused late reporting for or absence from pre-season training camp by a player under contract signed as a Drafted or Undrafted Rookie, except for a player in fifth League Year of Rookie Contract (option year) after Club has exercised Fifth-Year Option pursuant to Article 7, Section 7; fine for each day of player’s absence $40,000$40,000$40,000$40,000$45,000$45,000$45,000$45,000$45,000
Unexcused failure to report to or unexcused departure from mandatory off-season minicamp–maximum fine per day for each day thereafter of player’s absence 
1st Day$15,980$16,459$16,953$17,462$17,986$18,526$19,082$19,654$20,244
2nd Day$31,961$32,920$33,908$34,925$35,973$37,052$38,164$39,309$40,488
3rd Day$47,936$49,374$50,855$52,381$53,952$55,571$57,238$58,955$60,724
Cumulative fine amounts for preseason training camp$31,956$32,915$33,902$34,919$35,967$37,046$38,157$39,302$40,481
Cumulative fine amounts for regular season or postseason$43,142$44,436$45,769$47,142$48,556$50,013$51,513$53,058$55
Material failure to follow rehabilitation program prescribed by Club physician$15,090$15,543$16,009$16,489$16,984$17,494$18,019$18,560$19,117
Unexcused missed activity that has been listed in Article 42, Section 1(b)(x), e.g., missed meal$15,090$15,543$16,009$16,489$16,984$17,494$18,019$18,560$19,117
Unexcused missed team transportation (transportation expenses not included)$15,090$15,543$16,009$16,489$16,984$17,494$18,019$18,560$19,117
Loss of all or part of playbook, scouting report or game plan$15,090$15,543$16,009$16,489$16,984$17,494$18,019$18,560$19,117
Ejection from game $39,949$41,147$42,381$43,652$44,962$46,311$47,700$49,131$50,605