The Dolphins’ hazing scandal heated up again Thursday when Richie Incognito filed a grievance against the team over his unpaid suspension.
Incognito’s move had been expected since the Dolphins’ banned him nearly two weeks ago for conduct detrimental to the team after reviewing a racist, vulgar voicemail he left for teammate Jonathan Martin last spring.
Incognito’s decision came on the eve of Martin’s formal interview Friday morning in Manhattan with Ted Wells, the attorney hired last week by the NFL to investigate and file a formal report on Martin’s claim he had been bullied by Incognito and other Dolphins teammates.
Martin abruptly left the team last month after a prank in the team lunchroom, setting off an intense national discussion about bullying and harassment in the workplace that has yet to cool.
Incognito, who denied the allegations in an interview with Fox Sports last week, filed the grievance Thursday citing an a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that players can be suspended a maximum of four games plus one paycheck for conduct detrimental to the team.
The Dolphins have described Incognito’s Nov. 3 suspension as “indefinite.” Incognito not only is challenging the team’s grounds for suspending him, but he also is seeking an expedited hearing, according to a union source.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, Incognito is allowed to have his case heard by a neutral arbitrator. It is the trouble-plagued veteran’s attempt to recoup nearly $1.3 million that Incognito is set to lose if the suspension is upheld.
Even if Incognito’s suspension is upheld, the Dolphins are limited by the CBA in how long it can last.
Miami could just make Incognito inactive each week after the suspension would have to expire in early November, but league sources say the Dolphins are ready to move on without him being a further distraction.
The Dolphins also would face intense pressure from Incognito and the union to release him instead, because Sports Illustrated reported last week at least one playoff-bound team would be willing to sign Incognito if the Dolphins decide to cut him.
Martin, meanwhile, is set to talk to Wells in Manhattan on Friday. It is believed to be the first time Martin has given his version of the incidents leading up to his departure in a face-to-face setting.