FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-5                      2/15/00

Running back BARRY SANDERS is in default of his signing bonus agreement with the Detroit Lions, an arbitrator ruled today in San Francisco. In total, if Sanders remains retired, he will forfeit $7.33 million in signing bonus for the six-year contract he signed in 1997.

Arbitrator SAM KAGEL ruled that Sanders was in default of the prorated portion of his signing bonus for the 1999 season and will be in default in 2000, 2001, and 2002 if he does not play in those seasons.

"We are pleased that the ruling supports the principle that a signing bonus is contingent upon a player fully performing the services required under his contract agreement," said NFL Executive Vice President HAROLD HENDERSON.

Kagel ruled that as a result of Sanders’ default for the 1999 season (one-sixth of Sanders’ six-year contract), the Lions are entitled to a repayment of one-sixth of his signing bonus ($1.833 million).

In addition, Kagel ruled that Sanders will be in default of the bonus agreement for the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons if he does not fulfill his contract in those years.