Some danger in releasing this document.
Presumably some of this content would be the argument in the appeal.
When presented at an appeal, it makes a strong argument.
When presented well early in a public forum, it provides the opportunity to continue to discredit the facts.
Possibly the lawyers and team officials have determined that Goodell has become swayed by public opinion polls. Recent polls showed acceptance of the Wells report at face value. If an alternative interpretation becomes accepted, maybe Goodell will be similarly swayed by changing public opinion, as he clearly was in the Rice and Peterson discipline, and offer the public apology originally requested by Kraft.
I continue to find the only valid conclusion from this episode is the incompetence of league judgment. Truly amazing that one can be as successful as Goodell has been without any judgment. There are lots of stories of people overcoming misfortunes and disabilities - successful dyslexic lawyers, successful executives lacking any empathy or emotional intelligence, successful financial leaders with no moral or ethical capabilities. A strong work ethic and high intelligence can overcome many personality defects. Goodell exhibits no capability at judgment, but has been able to rise to a very prominent position of leadership.