I have an SI.com column on the NFL's retirement system, how it determines and distributes pension and disability benefits, and how the federal government may compel the NFL and NFLPA to rectify what appear to be system defects. Earlier today, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, Hall of Fame player Mike Ditka and others testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.My column examines the various legal, economic, and psychological issues at stake, including the structural obstacles faced by ex-NFL players in qualifying for disability benefits, as well as how ERISA largely insulates the NFL's retirement board from judicial scrutiny.
At 3,000 words, I hope my column covers these complex issues in sufficient depth.
Update: thanks to Jonathan Tasini, who is president of the Economic Future Group and who writes for Daily Kos and the Working Life blog, for writing about my column and for providing some great perspective on the issues at play.