NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Non-Injury Grievance
Section 4Ordinary and Expedited Appeal
If a grievance is not resolved after it has been filed and answered, either the player(s) or Club(s) involved, or the NFLPA, or the Management Council may appeal such grievance by filing a written notice of appeal with the Notice Arbitrator and mailing copies thereof to the party or parties against whom such appeal is taken, and either the NFLPA or the Management Council as may be appropriate. If the grievance involves a suspension of a player by a Club, the player or NFLPA will have the option to appeal it immediately upon filing to the Notice Arbitrator and a hearing will be held by an arbitrator designated by the Notice Arbitrator within seven (7) days of the filing of the grievance. The NFLPA and the NFL will engage in good faith efforts to schedule grievances involving suspension of a player by a Club prior to the Club’s next scheduled game. In addition, the NFLPA and the Management Council will each have the right of immediate appeal and hearing within seven (7) days with respect to four (4) grievances of their respective choice each calendar year. The arbitrator(s) designated to hear such grievances will issue their decision(s) within five (5) days of the completion of the hearing. Pre-hearing briefs may be filed by either party and, if filed, will be exchanged prior to hearing.