SOURCES: Robert Kraft is 'strongly considering' suing the NFL

[Soul_Survivor88]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...to-get-patriots-deflategate-penalties-reduced

Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole reports that Robert Kraft is seriously contemplating issuing a law suit against the League for the unfair penalties towards the organization. But these same sources are trying to discourage Kraft from doing so, because if he goes the Al Davis route, any outside litigation would be fruitless.

Do you buy these rumors? And do you agree with the argument that suing the League is pointless?

 

[Deus Irae]

He should already have begun assembling his legal team by now.

 

[chasa]

he should, the league destroyed the only evidence available to prove teh patriots did no wrong doing.

 

[fnordcircle]

He should not only be considering it he should be positioning for it to use as leverage for an appeal to the league office first. Avoiding a legal battle would benefit everyone and might likely make the league more conciliatory.

Dropping that lost #1 down to a #2 would be my ideal. It's not like we use our 2nd rounders anyways.

 

[raduray]

He should not only be considering it he should be positioning for it to use as leverage for an appeal to the league office first. Avoiding a legal battle would benefit everyone and might likely make the league more conciliatory.

Dropping that lost #1 down to a #2 would be my ideal. It's not like we use our 2nd rounders anyways.

You need to add four rings to that finger in your avatar.

 

[patsfaninpa]

It would probably be wise to see how the Brady Appeal goes first. If TB12 wins, and the arbitrator laughs at the NFL's flimsy evidence. Maybe, Kraft goes forward. If Brady loses, probably a sign of things to come in a potential lawsuit by him.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

It should be centered around defamation of character and libel. There were multiple provably false "leaks" to the media that were allowed to stand without correction, willful errors that did irreparable damage to the brand. Some of the leakers will need to be identified though. It is a travesty that the Wells report ignored the corrupt aftermath COMPLETELY.

 

[chasa]

He should not only be considering it he should be positioning for it to use as leverage for an appeal to the league office first. Avoiding a legal battle would benefit everyone and might likely make the league more conciliatory.

Dropping that lost #1 down to a #2 would be my ideal. It's not like we use our 2nd rounders anyways.

Nope. Not good enough. give us back all our picks, and lower the fine total to 100k.

there is no evidence of wrong doing, and the only evidence that could prove without a doubt are the balls which the league tampered with by over inflating.

 

[Ross12]

I hope it's really true. Kraft v. NFL would be amazing.

 

[VrabelJr]

He should not only be considering it he should be positioning for it to use as leverage for an appeal to the league office first. Avoiding a legal battle would benefit everyone and might likely make the league more conciliatory.

Dropping that lost #1 down to a #2 would be my ideal. It's not like we use our 2nd rounders anyways.

Really? How can you post that and not expect to derail a thread?

Jamie Collins, Sebastian Vollmer and Rob Gronkowski say "Hi." It sure sucks how BB can't find only All-Pros with every second round pick ever.

 

[RobertWeathers]

He should already have begun assembling his legal team by now.

Here is Bob's consigliere.

Richard A. Karelitz serves as Treasurer of Chestnut Hill Management Corp. Mr. Karelitz also serves as General Counsel of Kraft Group LLC, the New England Patriots, a football team in the National Football League, to the New England Revolution, a soccer team in Major League Soccer, and to NPS LLC, which owns and operates Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. With over thirty years of experience in the paper industry, Mr. Karelitz utilizes his depth of practical experience to facilitate business relationships and transactions. Mr. Karelitz served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of International Forest Products Corp. and has been employed in various capacities since 1975. He is particularly recognized for his knowledge of international finance and risk management techniques to benefit IFP's suppliers and customers. Mr. Karelitz has been a Director of Carmel Container Systems Ltd. since October 1988. Mr. Karelitz serves as a Director of IFP Products (UK) Limited, International Forest Products (H.K.) Limited, IFP Corporate Services SDN, BDH and International Forest Products Limited. He also serves as Trustee at Caritas Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts. He is a recipient of the Silver Shingle Award from Boston University School of Law for distinguished service to the legal profession and serves on the law school's Executive Committee. He is a member of the Massachusetts and United States Supreme Court bars. He received his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of William and Mary and holds Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from Boston University School of Law.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I would support it but, as another wrote, let's let the Brady issue side out. A win for Brady is a proxy win for the Patriots.
My gut tells me the chances of winning anything from an ownership lawsuit sits between slim and none. So I ask what is the point? Right now I'd like Kraft to use his legal team to provide his own Wells Report and his own reports. Go out and get PSI experts above reproach, more than one. Go out and get an investigator who the media would fawn over (it is what it is: if need be get a gay friendly, liberal friendly one that media would cringe at impugning) . If nothing else make Wells and the Emperor look arbitrary, unjust, even silly. IMHO a win like that in the court of the public, while unlikely to see the picks come back, would not only be the kind of moral victory that has a tangible effect, it would send a strong message to the league that you better think 3 times before ever considering pulling this on the Patriots a third time.

 

[Rob0729]

Would outside litigations be fruitless? A defamation case against a public person or entity needs to prove malicious intent. There is plenty of evidence that the league showed malicious intent towards the Patriots. If the Pats can prove any one of the rumors (Mort's 2 PSI, Kelly Naqi's report, who tipped off Bob Kravitz, etc.) came from anyone in the League, I think Kraft has a really good shot of winning especially since the League has specific rules that bar anyone from the League to comment on an ongoing investigation.

I think the people who want Kraft not to pursue this route fear that Kraft could prove malicious intent. I think if you could talk to owners off the record and they were 100% honest, I think that might why they are talking Kraft out of suing more so than Kraft getting him and the league a black eye for him fruitlessly suing the League. They fear that he will succeed in finding what Wells didn't even think was important to investigate in that the League was trying to smear the Pats.

 

[Gronkowski123]

this will take years....

our jellyfish owner is starting to grow a spine.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I hope it's really true. Kraft v. NFL would be amazing.

To put it all in it's proper perspective. No one should want this to happen.

I'd be perfectly happy if TB12's suspension is overturned, the Pats sanctions are lifted and Goody issues a, "...after careful review and consideration" statement I'd be ok and the biggest worry is Fred Davis and Blount turning into the NFL version of Cheech & Chong.

 

[Big-T]

Outside litigation wouldn't be fruitless, Cole's source is clearly another teams owner and he's scared stiff about the thought of losing the antitrust exemption which will happen if the league gets sued for unfair penalties levied against a franchise.

 

[zydecochris]

I would support it but, as another wrote, let's let the Brady issue side out. A win for Brady is a proxy win for the Patriots.
My gut tells me the chances of winning anything from an ownership lawsuit sits between slim and none. So I ask what is the point? Right now I'd like Kraft to use his legal team to provide his own Wells Report and his own reports. Go out and get PSI experts above reproach, more than one. Go out and get an investigator who the media would fawn over (it is what it is: if need be get a gay friendly, liberal friendly one that media would cringe at impugning) . If nothing else make Wells and the Emperor look arbitrary, unjust, even silly. IMHO a win like that in the court of the public, while unlikely to see the picks come back, would not only be the kind of moral victory that has a tangible effect, it would send a strong message to the league that you better think 3 times before ever considering pulling this on the Patriots a third time.

Perhaps a win for Brady is a proxy win for the Patriots, but it does not address the most damaging of the penalties (IMHO), the loss of draft picks, which would negatively affect the Patriots for years to come.

 

[Rob0729]

Outside litigation wouldn't be fruitless, Cole's source is clearly another teams owner and he's scared stiff about the thought of losing the antitrust exemption which will happen if the league gets sued for unfair penalties levied against a franchise.

Yeah, they know that if Kraft can win a defamation suit, not only will it destroy the Goodell regime, it will hurt the League.

I do have some mixed emotions about that, but it is Goodell and the League who started this. I blame them.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I agree that it should not be off the table................ and the threat of burning the house down may give him the leverage from the other owners that he needs to get the 3/4 majority to get rid of of this madman Commish.

Absolutely............... I say scream it loud and clear that you are "prepared", "considering" to sue the crap out of the NFL. Actually doing it though? Total last resort play.

Either way.............. Goodell HAS to go.

 

[turkeyneck]

It should be centered around defamation of character and libel. There were multiple provably false "leaks" to the media that were allowed to stand without correction, willful errors that did irreparable damage to the brand. Some of the leakers will need to be identified though. It is a travesty that the Wells report ignored the corrupt aftermath COMPLETELY.

I would take the tack that the penalties were administered in bad faith and with malice, that the NFL knew or should have known that inflated objects lose pressure when chilled, that Rule 2 says nothing -NOTHING - about in-game ball pressure anyway so that there was, in fact, no offense to be penalized.