Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy's appeal for his suspension wrapped up in Washington Thursday, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported, according to a source close to player.
Hardy was suspended without pay for the team's first 10 games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the league. The hearing lasted seven and a half hours before arbitrator Harold Henderson, concluding at 5:30 pm ET.
The Cowboyssigned Hardy to a one-year contract with the knowledge that he was expected to be suspended. The NFL came to their suspension decision on a two-month investigation by the league into Hardy's domestic violence incident last year involving ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. The league found sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies. Hardy's legal case in North Carolina state court was dismissed in February.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported in April that the Cowboys had braced for a six-game suspension at most, and had expected a four-game ban. The team built protection into their contract for Hardy, in which was due $9.25 million in per-game roster bonuses. If Hardy's suspension is upheld, he'll be able to earn less than half of that.
