UPDATE: DE Greg Hardy not being added to Riders' negotiation list

A controversial NFL star, targeted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the off season, will not be negotiating with the team.

The Riders have decided not to add 27-year-old Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy to their negotiation list.

On Tuesday, head coach Chris Jones said Hardy initiated the conversation, but the league blocked the team from adding him to their negotiation list.

“It was a six hour discussion, he was interested in coming up. I inquired with the league, the league made their ruling, and you can talk to Jeffrey Orridge (CFL Commissioner) and those guys if you need to have more info on it.”

That, however, does not echo what the league had to say. In a statement, the CFL said the decision whether to pursue a player rests with the organization. The league did discuss the matter with the Riders. It was ultimately the organization’s decision to not place Hardy on the Riders’ negotiation list.

In 2014, Hardy was charged with assaulting and threatening his former girlfriend Nicole Holder. She claimed Hardy threw and dragged her around, choked her, and then threatened to kill her. The investigation photos showed a battered and bruised Holder.

A judge found Hardy guilty of assault and communicating threats. When Hardy appealed the decision, Holder failed to appear in court to testify. The prosecutor’s office then dropped the charges believing the two had reached a settlement.

The 6’5″, 280-lb. Hardy did not play the entire 2014-15 NFL season, and sat out the first four games on the 2015-16 season due to a suspension. He then played the final 12 games of that season with the Dallas Cowboys.

The six year NFL veteran remains a free agent heading into the upcoming season.

Hardy was drafted in the sixth round, 175th overall, by the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 NFL draft.