Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick faces charges of animal cruelty and sponsorship of dogfighting operations across state lines, but his legal troubles are the least of the concerns facing the Atlanta Falcons franchise. . Though Vick ultimately faces jail time if he’s convicted, what happens between now and then could affect the organization for years to come.

The indictment puts the Falcons in an awkward position. There are many people who were outraged by the lurid details of the torture and abuse the dogs suffered at the hands of Vick and his associates, outlined in the 18-page indictment filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District. of Virginia. There is some expectation that the team will take a hard line against Vick. Others plead for Vick to have his day in court before public opinion crucifies him.

Formally, the latter is also the opinion of the Falcons organization, which wants nothing more than for Vick to stand trial to prove his innocence, if possible. Truth be told, the outcome of the legal action probably won’t make a difference to the team from a business standpoint. If Vick is found guilty, he won’t play for the team anyway. And even if Vick is found not guilty, he has already poisoned the team’s season just by being charged. Maybe that’s unfair to Vick, but that’s exactly what happened in a short time.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement that read in part: “This is a complicated and emotionally charged matter.” And furthermore, although he didn’t say it explicitly, this is also a no-win situation for his team. Vick is his star player, the face of the franchise, and he’s been a big draw for ticket sales since the day he was selected first overall in 2001. And there’s also a financial consideration. He is owed $6 million this year alone in salary. Blank must find some way to balance what Vick represents as the star of the organization against the consequences if Vick simply plays as much of the season as he can.

The problem is that if Vick plays, he will draw the ire of protesters throughout the season, as well as considerable attention from fans and media alike. Every Falcons press conference, every Michael Vick news story will mention the indictment and the trial, whether Vick is ultimately found not guilty or not guilty. And what if the Falcons have a losing season? Suddenly, that scrutiny is exacerbated to the extreme.

The alternative may come down to a quiet deal between Blank and Vick. Blank also said in his statement that “there are a wide range of interests and legal issues that must be carefully considered as we move forward, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to.” While it may seem like Blank would rather wait for legal action to conclude, he may also ultimately indicate a gentlemen’s agreement that Vick would take the season off, likely paid leave. This is also a less than ideal solution. The Falcons traded quarterback Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans. Heading into the season, they have Joey Harrington and Chris Redman to back Vick up.

Regardless of who steps up to replace him, releasing Vick may not be an option for financial reasons. Vick will have $13.57 million against the salary cap this season and $15.1 million in 2008. Because of his 10-year contract and a $37 million signing bonus, the Falcons would save virtually nothing to release him in either year.

And none of this takes into account the consequences that will affect the Falcons tangentially. It already started after an announcement by National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell that Vick would be allowed to practice and play with the Falcons while federal investigators continue their case against him. The activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals immediately issued a public protest and will take its complaint in person to the league’s main office today. PETA spokesman Dan Shannon called the charges against Vick “staggering” and there is talk of boycotts against the Falcons organization and/or the NFL itself if Vick is allowed to play. The Humane Society has also said that he will protest in some way.

Also, after the indictment was announced, Nike brought out a line of exclusive shoes bearing Vick’s name. The Air Zoom Vick V has been shelved indefinitely, though Nike’s other Vick-branded shoes will continue to be available at retail stores.

There will be more of this type of reaction as companies and other athletes strive to get as far away as possible from the negative stigma Vick’s actions have placed on him, the Falcons and the NFL. Some people will wholeheartedly support Vick. Others will claim that he is being singled out for his status as a high-profile athlete. But all these things are really beside the point. As NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy put it succinctly, “We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him.”

That’s right, guilty or not, the price has already been paid.