In 2000, the Bengals instituted a "loyalty clause," which allows the Bengals to deny various bonuses to players depending on the remarks they make about the Bengals. The ability to enact such a clause appears justified under the collective bargaining agreement which states an NFL team can fine a player one week's salary and suspend him without pay for up to four weeks for any action the club considers detrimental to the team.
The Bengals introduced a "commitment clause" in 2000, enabling them to penalize players based on their comments about the team. This provision is justified by the collective bargaining agreement, which grants NFL teams the authority to impose fines and suspensions for actions that harm the club's interests.