I'm starting think about this if I am Judge Berman... we know that he did not think this case belonged in court. He has stated that he always wants parties to settle because he doesn't want to waste tax dollars and court time that should be spent on more important things. For that reason, in fact, there was speculation he would rule for Goodell to avoid having too many arbitration appeals coming to federal court.
Now, here's a guy who is already kind of pissed that a silly issue like this is taking up the court's time, and then on top of that, Goodell is basically identified as a serial offender who wastes the time of courts all over the country and then is pistol whipped by one judge after another. How he could lose four cases in federal court yet still have such incredible flaws in his process must infuriate Berman. The arrogance of blatantly disregarding prior judicial orders and basically giving the finger to each judge, then appealing and assuming in the meantime that he will win so can go back to doing whatever he wants....you have to that Berman realizes this. Then on top of everything, we know Berman has clear doubts about Brady's actual guilt, which he states, yet Goodell gives what was described by Michael McCann as one of the worst offers he has ever seen for a settlement. Meanwhile, Brady is clean as a whistle, perhaps even innocent, and will willing to take a one game suspension so not to waste the court's time.
In that context, it would make sense that Berman would put in a poison pill. Goodell really is an exception case, a serial abuser who has no respect for the judiciary system. Goodell simply should not have been in court again over the same issues he has already been called out for by other judges. It is such a slap in the face; the guy truly has a god complex. His arrogance is difficult to properly express because it is so off-the-charts. He truly does believe he is above the law and is incredibly stubborn.
I would think that appellate judges would also be appalled by Goodell.
