MINNEAPOLIS — A federal appeals court is backing the judge who ruled against the NFL and let quarterback Michael Vick keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed Judge David Doty’s order saying Vick had already earned the bonuses before his dogfighting conviction, so the money wasn’t subject to forfeiture.
Vick served 18 months in prison and is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Doty has long handled matters arising from the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. After Doty ruled in the Vick bonus case, the NFL accused him of bias and sought to end his oversight of its contract with the players union.
The appeals court says the contract should remain under Doty’s oversight.

On the Net:
The 8th Circuit’s opinion is at: http://www.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/09/11/082001P.pdf