Jackson, agents demand retraction
The contract dispute between wide receiver Vincent Jackson(notes) and the San Diego Chargers took an odd sidestep when high-profile attorney Howard Weitzman sent a letter to the San Diego Union-Tribune demanding a retraction of a portion of a recent story about Jackson.
In the letter sent Monday, Weitzman said a paragraph in the article, reported by Union-Tribune Chargers beat writer Kevin Acee, was both incorrect and damaging to Jackson and agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod.
"We are asking for a retraction, a correction and an apology for part of the article," said Weitzman, who has represented clients such as Mike Tyson, O.J. Simpson, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Lindsay Lohan.
The Union-Tribune reported that Jackson was able to sit out rather than sign a restricted free-agent tender for this season because of the financial backing of Schwartz and Feinsod.
"League and sources in the agent community have confirmed that his ability to forego a salary is due to the financial backing of Schwartz and Feinsod, with the understanding the agents will be paid back after Jackson receives the mega contract they are seeking," Acee wrote in an analysis story that appeared on the Union-Tribune's website Aug. 24.
Jackson, Schwartz and Feinsod deny the assertion and were upset with the report.
Jackson is already dealing with the fact that he has two driving-under-the-influence charges against him. He is facing a three-game suspension whenever he returns to play. Weitzman said the Union-Tribune article adds another problem for Jackson, one that could make teams wary to sign him to a long-term contract.
"This infers that [Jackson] can't manage his affairs and that he's financially needy," Weitzman said. "That's anything but the case. Vincent has been very successful dealing with his finances."
Jackson majored in business at Northern Colorado and nearly attended Columbia University out of high school. He hopes to one day pursue an MBA. He has a financial advisor independent of his agents.
As for Schwartz and Feinsod, Weitzman said the paragraph damages their reputation, too. "It's unfortunate because it's inferring that to give advice, they have to pay their clients in advance on the expectation that they'll be paid back later," Weitzman said.
The letter came after Schwartz and Feinsod spoke with Union-Tribune vice president and editor Jeff Light last week. The move could be a first step toward a possible lawsuit. Light did not return a message left for him Monday.
Jackson, a five-year veteran, has refused to sign with the Chargers after receiving a one-year, $3.2 million offer from the team that since has been reduced to $583,000. Jackson, who has led the NFL in yards per catch over the past two seasons among receivers with at least 50 catches each season, is seeking a long-term deal with either the Chargers or another team if San Diego is willing to trade him.
Thus far, only the Seattle Seahawks have been granted permission to talk to Jackson about a contract and possible trade. The two sides have not worked out a deal as of yet and also spoke during the offseason when Jackson was allowed to talk to other teams as a restricted free agent.
The Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings have expressed interest in Jackson, says a source. Jackson may become an unrestricted free agent or again be a restricted free agent depending on what happens with negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
