NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has filed a grievance with the players’ union asking Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma to drop his defamation lawsuit against Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The league claims Vilma’s suit violates the collective bargaining agreement reached last August to end the lockout. A clause in the CBA, which the NFL says the union agreed to, bars NFL Players Association members from suing the league or any clubs.
Vilma tweeted in response to the NFL’s grievance: “The nfl sent me a letter “demanding” I drop my defamation suit or else…lol or else wat?!?? They no likey me lawsuitey.”
The New Orleans Times-Picayune first reported the NFL’s grievance filing.
Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season by Goodell for his role in the Saints’ bounties program that the NFL says was conducted for three years.
