One of the leading voices on the players’ side in the ongoing labor battle with NFL owners has some financial problems of his own.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who is actively involved in the NFLPA*’s negotiations with the NFL, filed for bankruptcy in December and could have personal property, including his two Super Bowl rings, seized to pay off his debt.
Batch’s bankruptcy filing listed $8.3 million in liabilities and $2.3 million in assets. His real estate company, Batch Development Co. Inc., had to turn over 25 properties after defaulting on a $1.15 million mortgage.
As we’ve noted in the past with players like Mark Brunell, who went bankrupt after making $52 million, there’s a long line of NFL players who go broke despite making enough money to last several lifetimes. And although it’s easy to say you’d have to be an idiot to make an eight-figure income and lose it all, Brunell and Batch both come across as smart people, even if they’ve made some incredibly foolish investments.
Batch has played 13 NFL seasons and got a $13 million signing bonus from the Lions in 2000.