The Trail Blazers and Qyntel Woods have reached a settlement on the former player?s suspension for animal abuse that will avoid arbitration.
Woods, 24, was suspended by the NBA club without pay in October 2004 for having his pit bull engage in dog fighting. Woods, now the New York Knicks? starting small forward, sought to have the money returned to him. But as part of the settlement, the Blazers will retain a substantial amount ? more than $500,000 ? of the $750,000 that was withheld from Woods? salary for the 2004-05 season.
Woods pleaded guilty to animal abuse in Clackamas County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service. The Memphis native, who played two seasons for Portland before being waived in January 2005, also pledged $10,000 to the Oregon Humane Society.
?We?re glad to put this chapter behind us,? Blazer President Steve Patterson says. ?Qyntel has paid a significant price for the damage he did to the ballclub and the community.?