In reaching these conclusions, Exponent attempted to control for variations in the thermal histories, and thus pressures, of the Patriots and Colts footballs. Specifically, Exponent recognized that differences in the way each team's footballs were used or handled on the sideline during the game might affect the halftime measurements. To evaluate the potential impact of these factors, and based on information developed by Paul, Weiss during the investigation regarding the procedures used by each team‟s ball boys during the game, Exponent performed a simulation in which individuals acted as “ball boys,” and followed the described procedures while concurrently using a telecast of the AFC Championship Game to guide a complete reenactment of the first half. The entire “ball boy simulation” took place inside a temperature-controlled chamber set to field conditions. Exponent concluded that there was no observable difference in the results generated by this simulation and those simulations that were performed without “ball boys,” a finding consistent with the conclusion discussed above that variations in game use do not affect the internal pressure of footballs. In addition, the Patriots have suggested that the proximity of Colts ball boys to sideline heaters used during the AFC Championship Game may have impacted the temperature, and thus the pressure, of the Colts game balls when tested at halftime. We determined, however, that the Colts ball boys were not standing in close proximity to the heaters during the first half, and therefore the footballs in their possession were not likely to have been affected by the heaters.
