NFL makes final decision on Eli Manning civil fraud case
The NFL has finally weighed in on the Eli Manning fraudulent memorabilia case, and the two-time Super Bowl winner will not be subjected to league discipline.
There were questions as to whether the civil lawsuit against Manning would fall under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, but the league told NBC Sports that the matter was not a personal conduct issue.
“We monitored the situation and are satisfied that it is a civil matter that was resolved,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said via email. “Not a (Personal Conduct Policy) issue.”
Manning was accused of trying to pass off two helmets as being game-used to the memorabilia dealer Steiner Sports.
The New York Post acquired court documents which appeared to show Manning emailing the Giants equipment manager to obtain the helmets.
Manning wrote to equipment manager Joe Skiba on April 27, 2010, “2 helmets that can pass as game used. That is it. Eli.”
Last month, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Brian Brook, said that email and other incriminating messages were proof Manning tried to deceive collectors.
“The above email exchange may be the only direct evidence that Manning knowingly gave fraudulent helmets to Steiner for sale to fans,” court papers said.
But just days before the case was set to go to trial, the memorabilia collectors who made the accusations against Manning settled their lawsuit against the quarterback out of court.
The plaintiffs were seeking triple the amount of the less than $20,000 they alleged to have lost, but the sides came to a confidential settlement which keeps Manning and the Giants out of the court room.
While this is great news for Giants fans, their Cowboys counterparts are likely wondering where this swift and decisive league ruling was last year with Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott faced accusations of domestic violence but was never criminally charged or sued in civil court. Yet he was still suspended six game for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Manning can now focus on preparing for the 2018 season and rebounding from the turbulence of last year. The Giants surprised many by not taking a quarterback in the first three rounds of the draft, which means the team likely expects him to be its starter under center for the foreseeable future.
New coach Pat Shurmur said as much earlier this year, per NFL insider Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
Pat Shurmur again says Eli Manning has “years” (plural) left as a starting QB in the NFL.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) February 28, 2018
Manning is due to make $16 million this season and $17 million in 2019. He also possesses a full no-trade clause, so he’ll likely decide where he finishes his career.
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