NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a letter sent to the NFLPA "rejected the union’s request to recuse himself from hearing" the appeal of Patriots QB Tom Brady’s four-game suspension from Deflategate, according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Goodell "will hear Brady’s appeal June 23 and possibly June 25, a week after the Patriots wrap up their offseason practices." The union "had hoped to put enough pressure on Goodell that he would step aside and appoint an independent arbitrator, but the collective bargaining agreement gives the commissioner the authority to decide on appeals of player discipline." That Goodell "would reject the NFLPA’s request is not surprising." In the last three years, he "has had several of his controversial punishments overturned by outside parties." Goodell does, however, "sound open to reducing the penalty" if Brady "explains his side of the story in further detail" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/3). In N.Y., Gary Myers writes if Brady "executes his attack on the Wells Report as well he has executed in winning four Super Bowls, Goodell is indicating he has a chance to get his suspension reduced or vacated." Brady is "going to have to be forthcoming, compelling and convincing." Patriots Owner Robert Kraft "threw in the towel two weeks ago and accepted" the $1M fine and loss of a '16 first-round pick and '17 fourth-round pick (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/3).
MENDING FENCES? SNY’s Chris Carlin said Goodell and the Patriots have “already cut the deal” to reduce Brady’s suspension. Carlin: “The second you saw Robert Kraft drop the fight I think that Roger Goodell had already a nod or a handshake agreement with Mr. Kraft that that deal was going to include Tom Brady's suspension cut in half” (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 6/2). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said Goodell stating his “mind is open” on hearing new evidence in the Brady case sets up for Goodell to reduce or even eliminate the suspension “so he can climb back in bed with Robert Kraft.” However, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said the suspension is “ridiculous” and Goodell gave the penalty because Brady “is white and it’s a way to show black players in the league, ‘I don’t just come down on you.’” Kornheiser added “it’s absurd” that Goodell is hearing the appeal because “he is not impartial in any way.” Wilbon said apparently the relationship between Goodell and Kraft is “completely fractured but Goodell may need it to survive professionally.” Kornheiser said the “merit of the punishment is not import” in the case, “what’s important to the NFL is how will it be perceived and received” (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/2).
