Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) -- The Atlanta Falcons can try to recover approximately $20 million in bonus money paid to suspended quarterback Michael Vick after a ruling yesterday by National Football League Special Master Stephen Burbank.

Burbank, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is charged with resolving disputes about the NFL's labor agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association.

Burbank determined that precedent from a previous case in which it was ruled the Denver Broncos couldn't force receiver Ashley Lelie to return bonus money paid to him doesn't apply in the Vick case. Burbank's decision in Philadelphia clears the way for the Falcons to attempt to reclaim the roster bonuses.

``We are certainly pleased with (yesterday's) ruling,'' the Falcons said in a statement. ``It is the first step in a process that our club has undertaken in an attempt to recoup significant salary cap space that will allow us to continue to build our football team today and in future years.''

Vick was suspended from the NFL indefinitely in August after he admitted to helping run an interstate dogfighting operation. Falcons' officials are seeking to reclaim $19.97 million in bonuses paid to Vick, claiming he defaulted on the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.

Burbank's ruling last year in the Lelie case limited the amount of bonus money NFL teams could recover from players who misbehave or default on their contract. Burbank said yesterday his ruling in the Lelie case doesn't apply to the dispute between the Falcons and Vick, who will be sentenced on the federal charges in the dogfighting case on Dec. 10.

The players union said in a statement it believes Burbank's decision is ``incorrect'' and will appeal the ruling to U.S. District Judge David Doty in Minneapolis, who oversees the NFL's labor agreement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 10, 2007 01:13 EDT