NFL to pay $42M into retired players' fund

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PHOENIX, March 18 (UPI) -- The NFL has agreed to pay $42 million into a benefit fund for retired players after settling a lawsuit brought over the use of players' images in NFL films.

Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement Monday at the start of owners meetings in Phoenix while sharing a podium with Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and 16 other retired players.

The "Common Good Fund" will be used "to support retired players who are in need," Goodell said, including "medical, housing or any other form of assistance in transitioning players in one stage of life to another."

Known as the Fred Dryer litigation, the players filed the class action suit against the NFL in 2009 challenging the use of retired player images in NFL Films footage and seeking compensation.

"For the first time in history, retired players will be represented at the table," Brown said. "I'm very happy to represent the players that you see here and all the players in the National Football League and all the retirees who have been overlooked for so many years."

The settlement also established the first-ever independent licensing agency to govern the use of retired player publicity rights.