The Denver Broncos must pay US$220,000 to former
receiver Ashley Lelie in connection with the dispute over his
departure to Atlanta.
Lelie's agent, Peter Schaffer, confirmed the news Friday.
``We derive no enjoyment having to go down this road in the first
place,'' Schaffer said. ``We never relish having to contest anything
with the Broncos.''
The ruling was reported Friday by The Denver Post, which said an
arbitrator has ruled in favour of Lelie in his grievance against the
team. Broncos officials declined to comment.
Lelie, who led the league in yards per catch the last two
seasons, skipped the Broncos' off-season workout program, forgoing a
$100,000 bonus. He said he wanted out of Denver because the Broncos
were misusing him and weren't giving him the chance to be the
featured pass-catcher with Rod Smith and Javon Walker on the roster.
He was sent to Atlanta as part of a three-way trade with
Washington in August.
At the time, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Lelie had agreed to
pay Denver a ``hefty amount'' to get out of the final year of his
contract. The sum was believed to be about $1 million, made up of
fines, lost bonuses and a prorated portion of his $3.3 million
signing bonus.
Lelie argued he was forced into signing a document giving up some
of the money.
``It feels good to have that money back in my pocket,'' Lelie
told the Post after the Falcons' practice Friday. ``To lose that
much money, cash, after taxes, is kind of tough, so it feels good to
have that back in my pocket.''
The case isn't over. The Broncos also have a grievance that will
be heard in coming weeks.
``I'm not out of the woods yet,'' Lelie said. ``Most importantly,
I've got to concentrate on football. Hopefully, my agent and
attorney will help me out with the rest.''
Asked about Lelie on Friday, Shanahan declined to comment.
Smith, though, was pleased to hear Lelie may be coming into some
money.
``If he got some of his money back, maybe he can pay me the money
he owes me for darts,'' Smith said with a grin. ``I need to get my
money. I may have to come down to Atlanta (and get it).''
