Saints Owner Stops Paying Ditka

N E W  O R L E A N S, Oct. 6 -- New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson hasstopped payment on Mike Ditka’s three-year, $7.5 million contract, claiming the former coach is violating terms of their agreement.

Benson fired Ditka and nearly two dozen coaches and high-rankingclub officials Jan. 4 in the wake of a 3-13 season. Under terms ofthe dismissal, Benson is obligated to give Ditka twice-monthlypayments of approximately $104,000 each until the contract’s expiration Jan. 31, 2003.

Ditka’s contract called for him to make $2.5 million in each of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons.

Ditka’s Principles

Ditka said he last received a check from Benson in mid-August,meaning Benson has withheld $312,000 in payments that were due Aug. 30, Sept. 15 and Sept. 30.

“I know what the problem is,” Ditka said Wednesday night at his New Orleans restaurant. “The problem is his lawyer, Stanley Rosenberg. He’s found some clause in the contract … If that’swhat they’re all about, then fine. I was there the day I got fired, and I heard what [Benson] said.”

Ditka said he hoped the two parties could resolve the mattersoon.

“It’s going to come out one way or another,” said Ditka, now astudio analyst on The NFL Today at CBS. “If it comes out in court, it comes out in court. This is not about money. It’s about principle.”

Benson’s point of disagreement lies with a clause in thecontract that states the Saints “have the right to offset against all payments to [Ditka] any and all income he earns or receives or credited or accrued to him from outside income.”

“Mike is currently in violation of the terms of his contract by not furnishing us certain material required to be given us,” Rosenberg told The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune. “And no furtherpayments will be made until he complies with his contract.”

Ditka said he makes “under $500,000” per year for his role at CBS. He makes approximately $20,000 per speaking engagement, a Ditka spokesman said.