Federal judge will hear NFLPA’s contempt motion against Roger Goodell

The NFL Players Assn.’s civil contempt motion against Roger Goodell, the league and its management council will be heard by U.S. District Judge David S. Doty on Aug. 13.

Doty is the same federal judge who ruled in February that NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson exceeded his authority in suspending Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, according to rules agreed upon by the league and the players’ union.

The NFLPA argues in court filings that the league has waited to act on Doty’s ruling until the NFL’s appeal of that decision is heard.

“There is no basis for the union’s action,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email to USA Today after the NFLPA’s motion of contempt was filed May 20. “The district court’s decision on Adrian Peterson is on appeal to the Eighth Circuit.

“In the meantime, Mr. Peterson was reinstated more than a month ago and he may fully participate in team activities. The remaining disciplinary issue concerns the amount of 2014 pay to be forfeited by Mr. Peterson and that issue is presently before the Court of Appeals.”

Faced with charges that he struck his 4-year-old son with a switch, Peterson pleaded no contest in November to misdemeanor reckless assault and avoided jail time. He has already forfeited three game checks totaling more than $2 million.

Twitter: @chewkiii