Pro Football

Arbitrator Joseph LoCicero recommended that all NFL player pensions be increased 33% as part of a lawsuit brought by player-trustees of the pension funds.

LoCicero, made the recommendation to U.S. District Judge Joseph C. Howard, who heard the lawsuit filed against the NFL by trustees of the Bert Bell pension plan. Howard, of Baltimore, ordered the clubs to pay $30 million plus interest to the pension plan, a decision that was appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Once more, the court has shined a light on the owners’ misconduct and protected the player,” NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw said.