Aug. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick agreed to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, admitting he and three other men ran a dogfighting operation from his home in Virginia.

The 27-year-old former No. 1 pick in the National Football League draft filed the plea document today in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. Vick said the enterprise, Bad Newz Kennels, bought, trained and fought dogs in Virginia, and other states, and that he funded gambling associated with the operation. He also agreed to the killing of dogs that performed poorly.

Vick was charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture. The statement he signed said he never bet on the dogfights or received any winnings.

``Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights,'' the summary of facts said. ``Vick did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses that were won'' by Bad Newz Kennels.

Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said in a telephone interview that reports suggested Vick might serve between one and two years in jail, though Judge Henry Hudson has discretion to impose up to the maximum five-year sentence. Vick is expected to formally enter a guilty plea before Hudson on Aug. 27.

Vick Property

Vick, who last year became the first quarterback to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season, purchased a property in Smithfield, Virginia for about $34,000 in 2001, about two months after he signed a six-year, $62 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus, court papers said.

The four men began acquiring pit bulls from several locations in Virginia and North Carolina and purchased shirts and headbands bearing the name ``Bad Newz Kennels,'' according to court papers. They also built cages, a fence shielding the kennel from public view and sheds for equipment and hosting fights. Peace, Phillips and Taylor began to determine which dogs were good fighters, and Vick was aware they killed a number of those that didn't perform well.

Typically, only individuals representing opposing kennels and members of ``Bad Newz Kennels'' were allowed to attend fights, the summary of facts said. Opponents would establish a purse ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and participating representatives often made side bets. Dogs fought until one killed the other, or forced the other to submit.

Humane Society

``We're pleased this case is progressing, and that the original concerns about an illegal, interstate dogfighting network have been entirely validated,'' Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society, said in a statement. ``We hope the judge provides a sentence commensurate with the gravity of these crimes.''

Along with prison, Vick might also face penalties from the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell revised the league's personal conduct code in April and suspended Tennessee Titans defensive back for the entire 16-game 2007 season after Jones was arrested five times in about two years on charges that included public intoxication and felony coercion involving a fight in a Las Vegas strip club that left an employee paralyzed.

The NFL said in a statement early this week that it's aware of Vick's decision to plead guilty and ``we totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons.''

League's Case

The league will conclude its own investigation of the case ``as soon as possible'' before deciding on discipline for Vick, the statement said. Goodell last month said the quarterback shouldn't report to the Falcons' training camp an asked the team to ``refrain from taking action pending a decision by the commissioner.''

David Cornwell, former assistant general counsel for the NFL, said in a telephone interview this week that a guilty plea doesn't necessarily mean the end of Vick's NFL career. Goodell will probably impose a suspension that leaves Vick sitting out a year after his legal penalties end, he said.

``He has to prove he's worthy of a second chance,'' Cornwell said.

Vick's public image has suffered from the case as well. Companies including Nike Inc. and Adidas AG unit Reebok International Ltd. suspended sales of his signature apparel such as jersey and shoes after his indictment. Sports memorabilia maker Upper Deck Co. and Rawlings Sporting Goods also ended relationships with the quarterback.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 24, 2007 17:18 EDT