City Loses But Wins Its Battle With the Birds

Eagles fans can sleep easier -- the great saga of the Eagles versus Philadelphia appears to finally be over and the city came out on top.

The city must pay the Eagles $5 million in lost revenue from a 2001 preseason game that was canceled due to shoddy turf conditions at the Veteran's Stadium, according to Court of Common Pleas Judge Albert W. Sheppard.

The decision was a loss for the city but they still win because of earlier rulings.

“I am pleased that this matter has finally been concluded.  Just over a week ago Judge Sheppard ordered the Eagles to pay the city $8 million and today he has ordered the city to pay the Eagles $5 million, resolving both pieces of this case.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Eagles as partners in the community to improve the lives of Philadelphians in neighborhoods across this city," said Mayor Michael Nutter.

Sheppard told the Eagles to pay the millions to the city for shared revenue generated from Veteran's Stadium luxury boxes. The Birds contended that the agreement was only a gentlemen's agreement and wasn't legally binding.

So, finally the legal war is over. The net result is that Jeff Lurie and the Eagles will write a $3 million check to the cash-strapped city. Who knows how much of that cash the city will actually get after having to pay lawyers to battle the Birds in court.

For their part the Eagles were happy to put everything to rest.

“We are glad that this issue is behind us. We have important civic, community and economic ties to the City of Philadelphia and the region and we look forward to that being the focus of our ongoing dialogue as we look to the future,” said Philadelphia Eagles spokesperson Pamela Browner Crawley.

And, the mayor had a message that all Eagles fans would like.

"I wish them the best in the upcoming season,” Nutter concluded.

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