League earmarks extra $10 million for medical fund

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An additional $10 million has been approved by the National Football League to bolster its medical fund for retired players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday.

The money, which supplements an initial fund of $7 million agreed by the league in July, will help pay for joint replacement surgeries and other medical assistance.

Goodell said the $10 million commitment would be augmented by on-field player fine money, additional contributions from the NFL Players Association and other retired players groups.

The so-called "Alliance" of the NFL, the NFLPA, the Hall of Fame and the NFL Alumni Association was formed in May to address the medical concerns and needs of retired players.

A foundation has been established by the Alliance to fund programs which include joint replacements, cardiovascular screening and assisted living arrangements.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles)