Deflategate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74mxn3LWqvc
The NFL has some serious image problems at this time.
Goodell has been the judge and jury when it comes to league discipline for a while now, and it’s clear he has been abusing this power. When he first slapped Brady with a four-game suspension based on Ted Wells’ flawed report that the quarterback was deflating footballs, it was a shocking development. After all, the previous penalty for ball-tampering was a mere $25,000 fine.
Judge Richard M. Berman vacated Brady’s suspension, and this is part of what he wrote to explain his reasoning for making the ruling:
“The Court is fully aware of the deference afforded to arbitral decisions, but, nevertheless, concludes that the Award should be vacated. The Award is premised upon several significant legal deficiencies, including (A) inadequate notice to Brady of both his potential discipline (four-game suspension) and his alleged misconduct; (B) denial of the opportunity for Brady to examine one of two lead investigators, namely NFL Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Pash; and (C) denial of equal access to investigative files, including witness interview notes.”
This ruling is a huge blow to Goodell personally, and it is also tremendously embarrassing for the league. Judge Berman gave the league multiple opportunities to settle the case with Brady, but the attorneys for the NFL thought they had a strong case, which is also embarrassing.
No doubt, players across the league are rejoicing over this verdict. After all, a recent poll conducted by ESPN found that 88 percent of NFL players polled think Goodell shouldn’t have ultimate disciplinary power.