High-profile agent Ben Dogra has license revoked by NFLPA
The NFL players' union has revoked the license of high-profile agent Ben Dogra and fined him $200,000.
Dogra, who has represented Adrian Peterson among other players, can apply for reinstatement in three years.
The union did not cite any specifics Wednesday in its statement, but said the players on the committee on agent regulations and discipline voted unanimously to sanction Dogra.
A 38-count disciplinary complaint was brought to the committee.
"Ben Dogra adamantly denies engaging in any conduct that was not in the best interests of his clients or NFL players," his attorney, Arthur J. McAfee, said in a statement. "Ben has always been a strong advocate for NFL players and is thankful for the show of support from his clients and others in the industry during this process."
Let's try that again w/o the lawyer's email. Statement from agent Ben Dogra, suspended 3 years by the NFLPA today. pic.twitter.com/qXYOqmHmui
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 7, 2016
Dogra will appeal the discipline before an independent arbitrator. Any discipline would not be enforced until the appeal process is completed and he could continue to operate as an agent until resolution of the case.
"Ben ... looks forward to finally having an opportunity to examine and challenge the claims against him," McAfee's statement continued.
"The proposed discipline will not occur during the appeal process. It is therefore important that clients, NFL players, NFL teams, and certified contract advisers understand that the discipline does not limit or prohibit Ben from representing his clients during the appeal process."
Other Dogra clients have included Richard Sherman and Mario Williams.
Dogra recently left the Creative Artists Agency in a contentious split that resulted in litigation and his losing several players. But many of them remained in his representation including Peterson, Cincinnati wide receiver A.J. Green and Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart to name a notable few.
Never was Dogra more on display than last March, when Peterson was estranged from the Vikings following his punishment by the NFL for his involvement in the child-abuse case that kept him out for all but one game of the 2014 season. Peterson initially balked at coming back to the team, even after he was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Dogra did the bad-cop work by declaring a resumption of Peterson's career in Minnesota was "not in his best interest" and claiming the Vikings had not given them "one compelling reason" to do so.
Peterson didn't appear to have any leverage, after the Vikings refused to trade him or release him. But less than three months later, Peterson relented and rejoined his teammates for practice. Before training camp began, his contract was restructured for $20 million in guaranteed money.
