After nearly 5 months of extensive investigation, the NFL finally ruled this week on “Deflategate,” the controversy surrounding the New England Patriots alleged manipulation of footballs used in the 2015 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts by suspending New England Patriots QB Tom Brady for four games, fining the Patriots $1 million, and stripping the team of a first round draft pick and a fourth round pick in the 2016 and 2017 NFL Drafts, respectively.
On May 6, the NFL published a 243-page report written by attorney Ted Wells of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison. In the report, Mr. Wells focuses on text message communications between Jim McNally, a Patriots locker room attendant, and John Jastremski, an equipment assistant. The communications allegedly highlight references to deflation, needles, and gifts from Brady to McNally for manipulating game day footballs. Ultimately, the report concluded that “it was more probable than not” that the Patriots staff engaged in subversive behavior surrounding the footballs and deliberately circumvented NFL rules.
On May 11, Brady was suspended for four games for “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football.” The Wells Report alleges that it was “more probable than not” that Brady had at least a general awareness of the actions of McNally and Jastremski.
Brady and the players’ association have appealed the suspension, however, alleging that the claims in the Wells Report fall short of conclusively proving that Brady was involved in any subversive behavior and that the appeal should be heard by a neutral, independent arbiter, and not by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
To learn more about the Wells Report and Brady’s appeal, visit http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/12/us/ted-wells-deflategate/ and http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/14/us/nfl-deflategate-brady-appeal/.
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James Woodson Esq.
Social Media Coordinator, Entertainment, Arts, & Sports Law Section
(732)993-8796
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