NEW YORK — A judge in New York said Friday he expects New England quarterback Tom Brady and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to be available for conferences in August aimed at resolving “Deflate-gate.” US District Court Judge Richard Berman is hearing the case which began in January when footballs used by Brady and the Patriots' offensive unit were found to be below NFL minimums for air pressure during a playoff game against Indianapolis, making them easier to grip, grab and hold.
The Patriots beat the Colts 45-7 on their way to winning the Super Bowl, the fourth NFL crown for Brady.
A league investigation found Brady likely knew about Patriots employees deflating the balls, although Brady has steadfastly denied any knowledge of the matter.
His original four-game ban was upheld by Goodell Tuesday and Brady took his case to court.
Berman told both sides Friday he was scheduling a conference for Aug. 12 “with your principals (including, without limitation, Mr. Goodell and Mr. Brady),” and will hold another on Aug. 19 if the matter isn't settled by then.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association Friday had asked the court to expedite a ruling, saying a decision before the Sept. 4 start of the 2015 season would be in the best interest of both parties.
The union's lawsuit on Brady's behalf challenging the suspension was filed in Minnesota, but transferred to the court in New York, where Goodell had already sought to have his ruling upheld in court.
Berman has urged the warring parties to pursue a “mutually acceptable resolution” of the case, and also cautioned both sides to “tone down their rhetoric.”
Brady was greeted by adoring fans at the Patriots' second day of training camp Friday.
Brady looked sharp, throwing an array of pinpoint passes.
“He's out here doing what everyone else is doing, trying to get better,” Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman said of the team's superstar signal-caller.
“It's a new year. There's a bunch of individual goals that everyone has. I'm sure you can ask him what his are, but he's coming out here, putting the time in just like everyone else and just trying to get better.” The union said Goodell should not have been permitted to arbitrate Brady's case after the commissioner had lauded findings by Ted Wells, a lawyer hired by the NFL to investigate what happened.
Wells blamed two Patriots employees, but his report said Brady was “at least generally aware” of the plan to deflate footballs, which can make them easier for quarterbacks to grip.
“It is hard to imagine any person in Goodell's position even attempting to serve as arbitrator under these circumstances, but that is exactly what he did,” the union said. “This conduct shows not merely evident partiality but actual bias, rendering Goodell unfit to serve as arbitrator under any standard.”
The league has said Goodell had the right to affirm it under its labor agreement with the union. Goodell also fined the Patriots $1 million and stripped them of two draft choices.
New England faces the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin the regular season. If the suspension were upheld, then Brady would not return until Oct. 11 when the Patriots visit the Colts. — Agencies
