Flower Branch, Ga. ? The Atlanta Falcons will try to convince an arbitrator the team deserves a refund on up to $22 million in bonus money paid to quarterback Michael Vick.

The Falcons will be represented today by team president and general manager Rich McKay and three more team officials in the private hearing in Philadelphia.

“I don’t expect it will go beyond a day,” said University of Pennsylvania law professor Stephen B. Burbank, the special master who confirmed he will serve as arbitrator of the hearing at the law school.

Attorneys representing the NFL Players Association will argue against the Falcons’ claim.

An expert in sports contracts said the Falcons face long odds in their effort to have bonus money returned to the team.

The Falcons are expected to contend that Vick knew he was in violation of the contract when he signed the $130 million deal in December of 2004 and that he used proceeds from the deal to fund his dogfighting operation.

“I think clearly it’s a reach on the part of the Falcons,” said Jerry Reisman, a contract and business attorney based in Garden City, N.Y. “I think Vick earned that money. He received the roster bonus given out if you are on a roster at any point. He was on the roster in 2004 and earned the money.”

Reisman said he had followed the case closely because it was an unusual demand by the Falcons.

“The Falcons are claiming that if they had known of Vick’s criminal activity on the date he signed his contract in 2004 they wouldn’t have signed the contract and therefore there was fraud,” Reisman said.

Reisman said under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, bonus money earned cannot be returned.

Vick case moves forward

Sussex, Va. – Michael Vick moved one step closer to being tried on state dogfighting charges Wednesday at a hearing to make sure he has legal representation.

An attorney for the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback appeared in Surry County Circuit Court and was asked to return Nov. 27 to set a trial date.

Vick, who faces up to five years in prison, is to be sentenced Dec. 10 on the federal charges.