The back-and-forth, up-and-down, on-and-off appeal of Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor’s five-game suspension has featured an apparent reluctance by the NFLPA to push the issue.
But now that Pryor has exercised his right to challenge the decision to defer his eligibility to enter the NFL, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the NFLPA has taken the lead in the appeal process. (As Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network reported Wednesday night, the hearing will be held today.)
The union, we’re told, won’t be disagreeing with any of the relevant facts at the hearing. Instead, the argument will center on the question of whether Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to impose a suspension based on the violation of NCAA rules, and/or the contention that Pryor in some way engineered his entry into the supplemental draft by making himself ineligible via the hiring of an agent.
It’s unknown when a decision will be reached. Pryor has requested expedited consideration of the appeal.