The NFL is calling an ESPN report that it has offered a settlement and reduced suspension to Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma “completely inaccurate.” Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season for his role in the alleged Saints bounty program, which he adamantly has claimed did not exist. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN.com this morning reported that the league offered Vilma an eight-game suspension if he would drop his defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “No such settlement offer has been made,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says. “We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time.” A judge has ordered the league and Vilma’s representatives to hold confidential settlement talks. A person familiar with those talks tells The Associated Press he had “not heard anything that concrete from anyone at the NFL” regarding cutting Vilma’s suspension to eight games. Read the full story here.
NFL disputes report of Vilma settlement offer
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