NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 43
Non-Injury Grievance

Section 3
Filing

Subject to the provisions of Section 2 above, a player or the NFLPA may initiate a grievance by filing a written notice by certified mail, fax, or electronically via .pdf with the Management Council and furnishing a copy of such notice to the Club(s) involved; a Club or the Management Council may initiate a grievance by filing written notice by certified mail, fax, or electronically via .pdf with the NFLPA and furnishing a copy of such notice to the player(s) involved. The notice will set forth the specifics of the alleged action or inaction giving rise to the grievance. If a grievance is filed by a player without the involvement of the NFLPA, the Management Council will promptly send copies of the grievance and answer to the NFLPA. The party to whom a Non-Injury Grievance has been presented will answer in writing by certified mail, fax, or electronically via .pdf within ten (10) days of receipt of the grievance. The answer will set forth admissions or denials as to the facts alleged in the grievance. If the answer denies the grievance, the specific grounds for denial will be set forth. The answer may also raise the special defenses set forth in Article 30, Section 3, Article 45, Section 6(b) and Article 45, Section 10(b) of this Agreement, if applicable. The answering party will provide a copy of the answer to the player(s) or Club(s) involved and the NFLPA or the Management Council as may be applicable. See also Section 14 below regarding electronic exchange of Standard Grievance Correspondence.