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Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick leaves the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., following his arraignment on federal dog-fighting charges in this July 26 photo.

WASHINGTON (Reuters):

Atlanta Falcons' quarter-back Michael Vick admitted guilt yesterday in a dogfighting case that threatens the career of one of the brightest stars in U.S. football.

Vick, 27, admitted in a plea agreement that he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise known as 'Bad Newz Kennels' from 2001 through April 2007.

The National Football League player, a strong-armed quarterback and breakaway runner who made millions in salary and endorsements, has already been barred from playing in the upcoming season, pending resolution of the case.

Illegal gambling

In documents filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, Vick said he knew that dogs that did not perform well were killed.

He said the fights involved gambling although he did not personally place bets.

Illegal gambling can end an NFL player's career, and NFL Com-missioner Roger Goodell has cracked down on players in trouble with the law.

"Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses that were won by 'Bad Newz Kennels', said the documents, which were signed by Vick, his lawyers and U.S. prosecutors.

The documents said most of the 'Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling money was provided by Vick.

Vick said he bought property in Virginia to serve as the main staging area for housing and training pit bulls that took part in the dogfighting venture. He also travelled with his partners out of the state for dogfights.

Dogfighting, in which two dogs bred to fight are placed in a pit to attack each other for spectators' entertainment and gambling, is illegal in the U.S. The Humane Society of the United States estimates 250,000 dogs are victimised in dogfights each year.

Vick faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of US$250,000 and three years of supervised release. If he cooperates, he will likely be given a shorter prison sentence that many expect to be between 12 and 18 months in prison.

Vick will formally plead guilty in court on Monday.

Decide sentence

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson is not bound to accept the deal and will decide the sentence.

"We are pleased ... that the original concerns about a major interstate illegal dogfighting operation have been validated," said Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle. "Now the task is to see where this leads and to use it as a jumping-off point for a broader crackdown."

Under the plea deal, Vick agreed to cooperate with the government and testify if necessary in future court proceedings.

Prosecutors charged that dogs sometimes fought to the death and that some underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.

Vick said he knew that under-performing dogs were killed from 2002 to 2007, including as many as eight dogs in 2007.

"All of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning," the documents said. While Vick did not explicitly admit having killed any of the dogs himself, he did say "these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of him and his partners.

A federal grand jury indicted Vick on July 17. He originally pleaded not guilty, then negotiated a plea deal after associates agreed to cooperate with prosecutors under their own deals.

Lost endorsements

Vick signed a 10-year, US$130 million contract with the Falcons in 2004. Beyond any jail time he may serve, he is likely to face further punishment from Goodell.

The NFL, which starts its season next month, banned the three-time Pro Bowl, or all-star, selection from training camp after the indictment, effectively barring him from playing this season.

Vick told Goodell in a face-to-face meeting in the spring he had nothing to do with the dogfighting allegations.

The top pick in the 2001 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, Vick has made more than US$61 million in his six NFL seasons.

He lost major endorsements following his indictment. Nike suspended the release of a new Michael Vick shoe that had been set to hit stores this month and Reebok stopped selling his jerseys.

Vick has also been heavily criticised in the media and by animal rights groups for involvement in dogfighting.