Westbrook paid extra bonus money

[EaglesFan]

Oops! Westbrook was paid bonus twice | Inquirer | 04/14/2007

The Eagles admitted yesterday that an accounting gaffe resulted in the team's paying its star running back a $3 million roster bonus twice. The Eagles have been forced to file a grievance with the NFL against Westbrook because the money has not yet been repaid.

According to a team source, Westbrook and his agent, Fletcher Smith, have acknowledged the mistake and intend to return the money. Smith did not return a phone call yesterday. The matter becomes complicated from an accounting standpoint because of the taxes already paid on the money.

The league, under the collective-bargaining agreement, could hit the Eagles with a cap charge for the mistake. A team source said yesterday that, as of now, the league had not penalized the Eagles for the error. The fear within the Eagles' organization was that another team might challenge the NFL if the league does not penalize the team.

I'm curious to see what kind of penalty could/would be handed down by the NFL. I can't imagine it being too bad considering it's a minor accounting issue and not a team blatantly breaking CBA-rules to sign/pay a player.

[all4phillysportsfan]

I think it's a minor thing because Westbrook offered to pay it back. Somebody's job could get lost though because there was obviously some miscommunication.