Barry Sanders and Detroit Lions

(Allen Park, Michigan-AP) -- The Detroit Lions and former team member Barry Sanders are in the midst of a dispute about whether the team still owes him money. <br><br>Sanders, the leading rusher in franchise

Friday, May 30th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Allen Park, Michigan-AP) -- The Detroit Lions and former team member Barry Sanders are in the midst of a dispute about whether the team still owes him money.

Sanders, the leading rusher in franchise history, says the Lions still owe him an option payment of 700 thousand dollars included in a clause in his last contract.

In 1988, Sanders won the Heisman Trophy while playing for Oklahoma State.

In 1997, Sanders signed a six-year, 36 (m) million-dollar contract that carried an 11 (m) million dollar signing bonus.

He retired shortly before the 1999 season began.

The Lions say he didn't qualify for the option payment because he retired before it would have been available.

Arbitration began May 6th in San Francisco.