ESPN finally calls out the NFL on deflategate

Stacking the NFL's offseason agenda

The article calls out the NFL while curiously avoiding to mention Goodell by name. They also refrain from calling themselves out for reporting lies and being only too willing to tote the NFL's false narrative. The article could have been much more expansive and talk about all that was wrong with deflategate. Maybe there will be more to come. For those wanting to avoid the click, here are some excerpts...

"The NFL is now in its 13th month of pursuing justice in a case it proved to no one's satisfaction but its own."

"The league views the exercise, estimated to have cost at least $10 million, as defending the integrity of the game. In reality, the entire episode has embarrassed the NFL, dented its credibility and come to be viewed as delayed punishment for the Patriots' 2007 Spygate saga."

"None of the eventual outcomes will serve the league well. Either one of its marquee players will miss a quarter of a season for reasons that a host of scientists have found to be misapplied, or the NFL will have been confirmed to have run afoul of its own policies in attempts to nail him."

I went to go look into this story on tv, but DirecTV channel 206 at my house says "No Longer Subscribed. Please call to order this channel."

Really? On a Saturday night? I'm treadmill running tomorrow and will have Sportscenter on (without the sound so I can see highlights without being told what my opinion should be). If this comes up on there, I'll believe it's genuine. If not, they're just checking a box their Ombudsman told them to check before his "yes we were a little hard on the Patriots" article hits.

You know that 10 million bucks? I could have used 1% of that for something a hell of a lot more useful. Like renovations on my house. F the NFL. Hurray, house!

blackglass3 said:

Really? On a Saturday night? I'm treadmill running tomorrow and will have Sportscenter on (without the sound so I can see highlights without being told what my opinion should be). If this comes up on there, I'll believe it's genuine. If not, they're just checking a box their Ombudsman told them to check before his "yes we were a little hard on the Patriots" article hits.

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Actually, the article was posted on the 9th.

Haven't turned on ESPN or read one of their articles in over 8 months. And i won't be heading down that road again no matter what

I can't believe I read most of it but the most jaw dropping thing I read was:

"Over the summer, Jerry Jones of the Cowboys and Stephen Ross of the Dolphins publicly backed Goodell's Deflategate investigation despite all of its embarrassments -- from the flawed science to the questions of its independence to the inaccurate leaks reported by ESPN and other media outlets. Many other owners and executives, who feared alienating Kraft, did so privately, insisting that Goodell's willingness to take on the Patriots has helped him emerge in a stronger position with most of his billionaire bosses, managing the expectations of his 32 constituents with the savvy of a U.S. senator's son."

Skynet (ESPN) has become self aware. Judgement Day begins now.

Edit:
Whoops! My quote was from another linked article from within the main article the OP posted.

"delayed punishment for the Patriots' 2007 Spygate saga"
Spygate to Deflategate: Inside what split the NFL and Patriots apart

neuronet said:

You know that 10 million bucks? I could have used 1% of that for something a hell of a lot more useful. Like renovations on my house. F the NFL. Hurray, house!

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Kevin SeifertVerified account‏@SeifertESPN
On @SportsCenter, @darrenrovell estimates that #DeflateGate has cost the parties $10 million — and it probably isn’t over yet.

• 

8:37 AM - 3 Sep 2015

That was in Sep. Since then the NFL has added hired gun Paul Clement and his not hardly bargain basement law firm Bancroft PLLC. Probably more like $20 milion by the Mar 3 hearing. All to stick it to Brady for 4 games. This whole episode is like watching a rottweiler chasing his snubbed tail.

OhExaulted1 said:

Kevin SeifertVerified account‏@SeifertESPN
On @SportsCenter, @darrenrovell estimates that #DeflateGate has cost the parties $10 million — and it probably isn’t over yet.

• 

8:37 AM - 3 Sep 2015

That was in Sep. Since then the NFL has added hired gun Paul Clement and his not hardly bargain basement law firm Bancroft PLLC. Probably more like $20 milion by the Mar 3 hearing. All to stick it to Brady for 4 games. This whole episode is like watching a rottweiler chasing his snubbed tail.

Click to expand...

LOVED that pic with Goodell .... So f'n true.

Goodell and the entitled owners don't give a crap what anybody thinks.

Just don't care anymore. Let me know when they rescind the penalty for the draft picks and issue a public apology to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots or some form of investigation involving a federal or state agency. Until then, I won't be wasting any time on it.

Delayed punishment for the "spygate saga?" First, there was no freaking saga. Second, the punishment was absurdly excessive the first time around.

Just die, ESPN.

fair catch fryar said:

Just don't care anymore. Let me know when they rescind the penalty for the draft picks and issue a public apology to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots or some form of investigation involving a federal or state agency. Until then, I won't be wasting any time on it.

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Agreed! No way the NFL ever admits they were wrong here, the only chance is a defamation lawsuit, which wouldn't come close to being settled until long after the draft, maybe even the 2017 draft.

Posted on ESPN just now:

"ESPN announces that they have parted ways with columnist, Kevin Seifert. Mr. Seifert does not represent the type of honesty and integrity that ESPN tries to destroy for themselves. Unfortunately, Mr. Seifert does not understand ESPN's top priority is to protect our corporate partners and be their unofficial mouthpiece in the media.

"We apologize to our readers that Mr. Seifert actually gave you a glimpse of the reality of the NFL. All hail Emperor Goodell."

FreeTedWilliams said:

Agreed! No way the NFL ever admits they were wrong here, the only chance is a defamation lawsuit, which wouldn't come close to being settled until long after the draft, maybe even the 2017 draft.

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If anything, the NFL has upped the rhetoric. They obviously couldn't get Wells to say anymore than Brady was "more likely than not generally aware" of deflating balls. Based on the rhetoric after that, it clear the League wanted Wells to say he was the mastermind of cheating scheme. Because that is what they have portrayed it since the Wells Report. Ironically, Wells would only go so far in demolishing his integrity to give the NFL the report they wanted rather than the truth.

Until Brady calls out the NFL in a direct and forceful manner, Goodell and his henchmen can continue to ignore the seepage of truth floating around the fringes of the media.

boodog said:

Stacking the NFL's offseason agenda

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If you go ESPN's NFL homepage, it's already sunk to near the bottom of the page.

BTW, not one story about the Peyton Manning story at the New York Times.

boodog said:

Actually, the article was posted on the 9th.

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A testament to the faithfulness of the board in avoiding ESPN that we're just hearing of this now.

OhExaulted1 said:

Kevin SeifertVerified account‏@SeifertESPN
On @SportsCenter, @darrenrovell estimates that #DeflateGate has cost the parties $10 million — and it probably isn’t over yet.

• 

8:37 AM - 3 Sep 2015

That was in Sep. Since then the NFL has added hired gun Paul Clement and his not hardly bargain basement law firm Bancroft PLLC. Probably more like $20 milion by the Mar 3 hearing. All to stick it to Brady for 4 games. This whole episode is like watching a rottweiler chasing his snubbed tail.

Click to expand...

That's what happens when you give signing authority to the legal equivalent of a ******.