Metaphors
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Check out the indemnification agreement from the NFL vs. the agreement sought by Walsh's attorney. Everyone focuses on the "truthfulness" clause as being the hangup. Totally bogus. If Walsh took the NFL agreement today and told the truth, anyone who wanted to sue him would have to prove damages and (beyond a reasonable doubt) that he lied...which would be impossible to do.
However, there are two other differences between the agreements:
1) Walsh is only covered for testimony to Specter and Goodell (explicitly called out in the agreement)
2) Walsh must give up all materials and swear that he doesn't have anything else
The agreement from Walsh's lawyer doesn't mention either of these points. He can talk to anyone and gets to keep his stuff. If all Walsh wants to do is get the truth out safely, under the NFL agreement he can testify and give materials directly to Specter. No way will Specter allows the materials to be destroyed or covered up. Who would even try to go after Walsh when Congress has his back? Nobody.
So why doesn't Walsh take the NFL agreement? Because it prevents him from making a dime off anything he knows from his time with the Pats. Money is the only reason why Walsh injected himself into this situation and the potential for money is the reason why the lawyers are involved. Simple as that.
If the NFL gives him the indemnification he seeks, he will testify that the Pats knowingly taped the opponents signals since 2000 or some other info that is either obvious or already known. After leaving Goodell's office, he will immediately start the rounds on any news show that will pay him to appear. A couple of months later, "I, Spy. An Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of the Patriots" will be available on amazon.com. He will be able to say anything without legal consequence.
This is why the NFL won't improve their indemnification offer. This is also why Walsh will never agree to testify. And the world will go right on a-spinnin...
However, there are two other differences between the agreements:
1) Walsh is only covered for testimony to Specter and Goodell (explicitly called out in the agreement)
2) Walsh must give up all materials and swear that he doesn't have anything else
The agreement from Walsh's lawyer doesn't mention either of these points. He can talk to anyone and gets to keep his stuff. If all Walsh wants to do is get the truth out safely, under the NFL agreement he can testify and give materials directly to Specter. No way will Specter allows the materials to be destroyed or covered up. Who would even try to go after Walsh when Congress has his back? Nobody.
So why doesn't Walsh take the NFL agreement? Because it prevents him from making a dime off anything he knows from his time with the Pats. Money is the only reason why Walsh injected himself into this situation and the potential for money is the reason why the lawyers are involved. Simple as that.
If the NFL gives him the indemnification he seeks, he will testify that the Pats knowingly taped the opponents signals since 2000 or some other info that is either obvious or already known. After leaving Goodell's office, he will immediately start the rounds on any news show that will pay him to appear. A couple of months later, "I, Spy. An Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of the Patriots" will be available on amazon.com. He will be able to say anything without legal consequence.
This is why the NFL won't improve their indemnification offer. This is also why Walsh will never agree to testify. And the world will go right on a-spinnin...