Bears-Niners square off in NYC

Its in the hands of Roger Goodell now.

The commissioner and league heard both sides of the case between the Bears and San Francisco earlier today involving Lance Briggs and alleged tampering by the 49ers during last season.

Foxsports.com reported over the weekend that the Bears were headed to New York Monday to testify against the Niners, who they allege engaged in contract negotiations with Briggs agent Drew Rosenhaus during the season. The Bears and Niners discussed a trade of Briggs in October before the trade deadline.

When free agency rolled around, the Niners did not step forward with interest in Briggs and he came back to the Bears at the teams price.

Team president Ted Phillips, general manager Jerry Angelo and salary cap negotiator/attorney Cliff Stein are believed to have represented the Bears. Present on behalf of San Francisco were general manager Scot McCloughan, contract negotiator Paraag Marathe and executive vice president of football operations Lal Heneghan. Heneghan served for seven years on the leagues management council, so he would probably have knowledge of how these affairs run.

A decision from Goodell could come later this week.