Ray Rice’s wife, Janay Palmer Rice, was punched by the NFL star, according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but now that the hearing is over, the couple both hope Rice will be reinstated.
In a related report by the Inquisitr , Adrian Peterson’s reinstatement was denied by the NFL and Nike responded by dropping the superstar forever.
Ray Rice was indefinitely suspended by the NFL even though he had previously gone to court over the elevator fight. Nike took away Rice’s sponsorship after the elevator fight video went public, but Ray Rice’s wife stood beside him during the entire ordeal. Janay was furious that her husband was suspended indefinitely without pay even after they underwent a police investigation for their elevator fight. She also noted how the NFL already punished Rice once (albeit only with a two day suspension).
Ray Rice’s wife also previously said the suspension represented a hardship for the family since the Rices will not receive any pay until the issue is resolved. Although Ray Rice’s net worth is estimated at $14 million, celebrity football players tend to have extravagant monthly expenses, especially considering he signed a $40 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2011 season. Since his career started in 2008, Ray has earned a total of $38 million in NFL salary and bonuses , and the suspension represents at least a $10 million loss, not including the endorsement deals that were lost with companies like Nike.
The recent arbitration hearing was held in order to determine whether or not the NFL overstepped its authority by modifying Rice’s punishment after the elevator fight video went public. Although former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones has not released a decision, it’s said she will submit her closing brief next week. It’s said that Ray Rice’s wife left three hours later after they both separately spoke before the judge.
The NFL players’ union also released a statement about the hearing.
“The collectively bargained rights of all players must be vehemently preserved and we take that obligation seriously,” the statement said, according to the Associated Press . “This appeal, presided over by a neutral arbitrator, which included a presentation of all the relevant facts, witness testimony to the truth and cross examination, is the due process that every athlete deserves.”
In the meantime, Ray Rice is hoping that he will be reinstated immediately with the NFL and he’s also filed a separate wrongful termination grievance against the Ravens. Rice’s attorneys argued that the punishment of indefinite suspension was not consistent with actions taken by the NFL in the past. Even if Rice is reinstated, it’s considered unlikely a NFL team will sign him this season due to it being so late in the year.