The National Football League cheered a recent arbitration victory in which arbitrator Richard Bloch upheld the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to sideline wide receiver Terrell Owens for the season. In the judgment, Bloch supported the Eagles' claim that Owens was "destructive and a continuing threat" to his team. He also ruled that there was "no violation of the labor agreement" in the club's decision to pay Owens, but not to permit him to play or practice due to the nature of his conduct.

Terrell Owens, a top NFL player, had repeatedly tested the limits of his contract with the Eagles. Throughout the season, the wide receiver launched a series of highly publicized statements in which he criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Eagles organization, and former teammate Huge Douglas. In return, the Eagles suspended Owens for four games and later gave him the boot.

During arbitration, Owens' side, led by agent Drew Rosenhaus, argued that the Eagles' decision to deactivate their star player was too severe. But Rosenhaus' demand that his client be reinstated or released to sign with another team went down to stunning defeat, effectively ending Owens' career in Philadelphia while leaving his finances intact.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection has five years remaining on a seven-year, $48.97 million contract that he signed when he came to Philadelphia in 2004.