More details emerge in the evolving battle over Aaron Hernandez's money

Does he deserve any money from his contract?

 

There's already a legal question in play on whether the NFL and New England Patriots have to pay back money Hernandez never received as a result of his legal troubles?

Now, ProFootballTalk reports from its sources that the New England Patriots and the NFLPA agreed to hold off on any grievances until Hernandez's case was resolved.

Based on Massachusetts law, legal experts believe there's a good chance Hernandez's conviction will be vacated because he can't assist in his appeal. (Hernandez, after being found innocent in a double murder, committed suicide by hanging himself in his jail cell on Wednesday.)

Still, PFT says questions include:

  • Is Hernandez's estate entitled to the $3.5 million in bonus money the Patriots withheld after they cut him following his arrest in the Odin Lloyd case?
  • Will the Patriots be entitled to repayment of all monies paid to Hernandez until the 2012 contract?
  • Will the Patriots have to pay Hernandez's guaranteed salaries in 2013 and 2014?

The Patriots, according to PFT, believe they're in the right because Hernandez had allegedly committed two murders before the former tight end signed his seven-year contract extension on 2012.

The NFLPA could argue that Hernandez earned the payments, and the Patriots acted before the NFL handed down any discipline.

 

MORE ON AARON HERNANDEZ:

Former Patriot says he was "pure evil."

The Massachusetts Appeals Court could make a stunning announcement in the Hernandez case

Hernandez's representatives skeptical her committed suicide

Aaron Hernandez's lawyer says he was the victim in the double murder trial