NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Injury Grievance
Section 7Arbitration Panel
There will be a panel of five (5) arbitrators, whose appointment must be accepted in writing by the NFLPA and the Management Council. The parties shall designate the Chairperson of the panel. In the event of a vacancy in the position of the Chairperson of the panel, the senior Injury Grievance Arbitrator will succeed to the position of Chairperson of the panel, and the resultant vacancy on the panel will be filled according to the procedures of this Section. Either party to this Agreement may discharge a member of the arbitration panel by serving written notice upon the arbitrator and the other party to this Agreement from July 10 through July 20 of each year, but at no time shall such discharges result in no arbitrators remaining on the panel. If either party discharges an arbitrator, the other party shall have two (2) business days to discharge any other arbitrator. If an arbitrator has been discharged he or she shall retain jurisdiction for any case in which the hearing has commenced. Any vacancies occurring on the arbitration panel will be filled as follows: If the parties are unable to agree to a new arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the Chairperson of the panel shall submit a list of ten (10) qualified and experienced arbitrators to the NFLPA and the Management Council. Within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the list, the NFLPA and the Management Council shall select one arbitrator from the list by alternately striking names until only one remains, with a coin flip determining the first strike. The next vacancy occurring will be filled in similar fashion, with the party who initially struck first then striking second. The parties will alternate striking first for future vacancies occurring thereafter during the term of this Agreement. If either party fails to cooperate in the striking process, the other party may select one of the nominees on the list and the other party will be bound by such selection.