The Deflategate scandal has "quickly degenerated into a nasty yet wildly entertaining get-down-and-dirty fight" pitting Patriots QB Tom Brady, Owner Robert Kraft and Brady's agent Don Yee against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, investigator Ted Wells and NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent, according to Gary Myers of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. The "close relationship of Kraft and Goodell is likely permanently fractured." The relationship is the "casualty of this affair," which could "impact the league and perhaps Goodell’s longevity in his job." However, one influential owner said, "It may take some time, but I think they can get through this in the long run." The owner added of the penalties levied against the Patriots, "Thought it was a little more harsh than I expected, but I can't say it was unfair" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/13). THE MMQB's Jenny Vrentas wrote this is "shaping up to be a very public, very ugly fight between the league and its reigning Super Bowl champion" (MMQB.SI.com, 5/12). ESPN's Adam Schefter said, "I don't think the Patriots are going to go quietly into the night. I think this story is just getting started" ("The Herd," ESPN Radio, 5/12). ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss noted the Patriots "could fight the NFL in court, but that's a pretty extreme step," and Kraft would "basically be taking on the league that he has helped build to be the powerful machine that it is." However, if he "feels his integrity and character have been called into question, maybe he goes rogue to try to clear his name and the draft picks could be returned to the team if he gets the desired result" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/12). In N.Y., Bart Hubbuch notes NFL clubs "contractually are bound to follow the league’s constitution and bylaws, which are clear that punishments are not open to appeal." A lawsuit would be a “nuclear option." Kraft can "petition Goodell to reduce the penalties, but now that Goodell has shown himself unafraid to come down hard on his longtime mentor and confidant, the chances of that happening appear slim" (N.Y. POST, 5/13).
BATTLE LINES BEING DRAWN: In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes the Patriots "are the new Oakland Raiders," as they have "gone from NFL royalty to NFL outlaws." They are "at open war with the NFL," and there "will be no rapprochement, now." The NFL’s "golden franchise has broken out the brass knuckles and the league showed it’s ready to rumble too." That approach "seemed to get under the skin of Wells," but it "hurts the case of the Patriots and Brady, in the court of public opinion, to keep attacking Wells and other NFL personnel on the Enemies List." A man who "once defined the NFL ownership establishment and was a trusted adviser of Goodell, Kraft is now rebelling against the league to save his team and his quarterback’s brand" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/13). ESPN’s Keith Olbermann said if Kraft “wants to turn himself into Al Davis and turn the Patriots into the post-success Raiders” by suing the league “that’s his business” (“Olbermann,” ESPN2, 5/12).
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: In Boston, Chad Finn looks at Kraft's standing as NFL Broadcast Committee Chair and wonders if his relationship with media leaders will impact coverage of the story. A CBS spokesperson "chose not to comment" on CBS President & CEO Les Moonves and the network’s "relationship with Kraft or how the punishment might affect coverage, though it was noted that the league has never restricted what can or can’t be said on a broadcast and that viewers should expect fair and honest comments on Brady’s legacy." Meanwhile, an NBC spokesperson said of the Steelers-Patriots Thursday-night opener, "The absence of one of the league’s marquee stars will not dampen the excitement for the league’s first game. ... Fans can be assured that we will cover this story appropriately, both with comprehensive reporting and independent voices." That statement "hits on an important point, one obvious reason Goodell has no problem punishing Brady: It will not affect ratings." In fact, the "curiosity surrounding the fallout and how the Patriots organization reacts ... actually may lead to more interest" (BOSTON GLOBE. 5/13).
PATRIOT GAMES: USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes the Patriots were "self-righteous enough to think they were bigger than the NFL," but "all they've done is prove they're not nearly as smart as they think they are" (USA TODAY, 5/13). In Cleveland, Bud Shaw writes the Patriots are "paying the price for being the Patriots." Shaw: "That's not on the league; that's on them" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 5/13). Meanwhile, in Boston, Chris Mason notes a "grassroots movement on Twitter has been picking up steam, as the hashtag #NoBradyNoBanner has begun trending" locally. The group's belief is that the Patriots "should not unveil their Super Bowl XLIX championship banner at the Thursday night season opener if Brady is not reinstated." It will be "interesting to see how the banner situation unfolds if Kraft is still at odds with Goodell come September" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/13).
