Arbitrator Awards Dickerson $25,000, Drops Major Charges Against Agent

The major charges in Eric Dickerson’s $12.5-million lawsuit against agent Jack Rodri have been dismissed by a National Football League Players Assn. arbitrator.

According to the 11-point decision issued last Friday by Roger P. Kaplan, Rodri will pay Dickerson, formerly a Ram running back, about $25,000 in damages.

In the key issue, Kaplan ruled that Dickerson was not entitled to damages for three failed real estate investments Rodri made for the running back. In his 1987 lawsuit, Dickerson charged Rodri with mismanagement and fraud in the land ventures.

The arbitrator ruled that Dickerson was entitled to a $36,000 premium on an insurance policy Rodri had taken out without the player’s approval, $3,800 in playoff and bonuses owed and a partial refund, $16,000, for travel and communication expenses.

In turn, Kaplan ruled that Dickerson owed Rodri 10%--$50,000--of his 1986 Ram signing bonus, and 10% of his 1987 Ram salary, although Dickerson played only three games that season before his trade to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 31.

Rodri negotiated for Dickerson a three-year contract extension with the Rams in 1985.

“I am vindicated,” Rodri said Monday. “He said I had misappropriated his money, which is a very bad accusation. He charged me with racketeering, which was dropped before it was introduced into trial.”

Dickerson’s attorney, Arn Tellem, said he was satisfied with the ruling.

“The arbitrator agreed with us on a number of issues,” he said. “We’re happy to have an award in our favor.”