The Associated Press reported that former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule had filed a lawsuit due to a pay disagreement.
According to a person who spoke to the AP, the arbitration lawsuit against the NFL is asking for about $5 million in “offset severance compensation.” The lawsuit was first reported by CBS Sports.
One day after the Panthers lost to the 49ers and fell to 1-4, Rhule was removed of his duties in October.
Before a game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 9, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule.
Before a game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 9, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo
According to reports, the current head coach of the Nebraska football team has hired renowned litigator John Singer of Singer Deutsch LLP to handle the litigation.
No Panthers representative offered an opinion on the predicament.
AFTER HIS RETIREMENT WAS ANNOUNCED, THE BUCCANEERS ORGANIZATION THANKED TOM BRADY AND SAID HIS LEGACY WAS UNMATCHED.
Rhule signed a seven-year, $62 million contract with Carolina, but was there for less than three years. Rhule was thought to be due $34 million at the time of his termination.
On August 26, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the first half of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule beams.
On August 26, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the first half of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule beams. Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo
Rhule returned to collegiate football a few weeks after leaving and accepted the position of head coach at Nebraska. According to an earlier report by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the 45-year-old coach was given an eight-year, $72 million contract by the program.
Announcing his “FINAL RETIRING,” Tom Brady
David Tepper, owner of the Panthers, was expected to pay him less as a result of the agreement. However, the arbitration lawsuit asserts that due to the way the deal with Carolina was set up, the Panthers still owe him $5 million.
On December 26, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the first half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule speaks with quarterback Sam Darnold.
On December 26, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the first half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule speaks with quarterback Sam Darnold. Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo
The Panthers announced Frank Reich as Rhule’s successor earlier this week. Reich was formally introduced by Carolina on Tuesday at a press conference.
Tepper admitted it was a “mistake” to bring Rhule on board, calling him a “CEO-type head coach.” “It’s preferable to have a coach who is really amazing on one side of the ball or the other side of the ball,” Tepper continued.
Tepper admitted, “Listen, I’ll confess, we could have conducted a better process last time. “Additionally, I’m learning. I admit that I could have done better, alright? I’m not implying that Rhule wasn’t an effective trainer. Not at all, I assure you. Please don’t read that into it. I’m claiming that my previous method could have been done better. Yes, I do think that. I believe we were really thorough this time. Every interview I participated in.”
This report was made possible by the Associated Press.
