The National Football League came down hard on Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for violating the league’s tampering policy. The violations occurred during the Chiefs negotiations with then free agent Jeremy Maclin, which prohibits teams from offering contracts during the league’s tampering window.
For the violation, the Chiefs were fined $350,000 and have to forfeit a third round and sixth round pick in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Andy Reid was was assessed a $75,000 fine, GM John Dorsey was fined $25,000 and the franchise was fined $250,000 which makes up the $350,000 total.
NFL executive VP Troy Vincent said the following:
“The goal is to balance the seriousness of the violation of an important and longstanding competitive rule [the Anti-Tampering Policy], with appropriate recognition of the club’s history [no prior offenses], and the cooperation shown by both the club and individual employees,” Vincent said in a statement. “The discipline should be sufficient both to deter future violations and encourage cooperation in future investigations.”
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt had the following response:
“While we respect Commissioner Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters — particularly given the league’s inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agent.”
The Chiefs owner also said he plans to appeal the ruling.