Cowboys' Greg Hardy has suspension reduced to 4 games on appeal

The 10-game suspension handed down to Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has been reduced to four games on appeal, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello announced Friday.

Harold Henderson, a former NFL executive, handled the appeal proceedings. Henderson determined that while Hardy's conduct was indefensible, the league's discipline was excessive.

Via Albert Breer of NFL Network:

After consideration of all the record evidence and arguments, I conclude that the Commissioner acted within his authority and properly exercised his discretion in finding that Hardy violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy...I find that the conduct of Hardy clearly violates the letter and spirit of any version of the PCP since its inception, and of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws long before then. The egregious conduct exhibited here is indefensible in the NFL. However, ten games is simply too much, in my view, of an increase over prior cases without notice such as was done last year, when the 'baseline' for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension. Therefore, the discipline of Mr. Hardy hereby is modified to a suspension of four games; all other terms of the discipline letter remain in place.

In July 2014, Hardy was convicted of domestic violence charges stemming from an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

Then a member of the Carolina Panthers, the defensive end spent nearly the entire season on the commissioner's exempt list while the legal process took its course.

Although the Mecklenburg County, N.C., court dismissed the charges after the accuser could not be found to testify in February, the NFL's investigation determined Hardy's actions were indeed a violation of the conduct policy, and thus worthy of a suspension to start the 2015 season.

Recent reports indicated Hardy might take legal action against the NFL if his suspension wasn't reduced to two games or fewer, as the 26-year-old's representation was seeking a punishment more in line with the personal conduct policy that was in place at the time of the incident.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that possibility following Friday's ruling, indicating that Hardy will weigh his options when it comes to now taking his case to court.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Hardy is considering appealing the suspension and will make a decision early next week.

Hardy signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Cowboys prior to receiving his suspension earlier this offseason. Barring a further reduction from Friday's ruling, the six-game adjustment to Hardy's discipline puts him in line to earn an additional $3.468 million in per-game roster bonuses.