Patriots fan files consumer complaint against the NFL

[50-yard-line]

I don't know if this is going to get any play from the court but, if you think about it, taking away draft picks punishes the fans more than anybody with the possible exception of the draft pick who lost his chance to be on the Patriots.

I USED TO look forward to the draft, spending hours with simulators and studying the incoming class, reading the threads here, etc.. Now I could care less, so yeah, I agree.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Kraft's bending over ruined that dream of justice prevailing.

It did - at least as it now stands in terms of losing that 1st round draft pick. It also cements perceptions of the Pats guilt, though even without the "admission" of Kraft by giving up the pick, you'll never convince anyone who is so jealous and illogical to reject 7th grade science exoneration in the first place.

That being said I take Kraft at his word as to what his motivation was - and the evidence as I see it indicates he was sincere in thinking he was trying to help the club.

Rightfully or wrongly Kraft recognized what was behind FrameGate. Jealous owners who viewed the Patriots as continually blocking their chances in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Every AFC team must HATE the Patriots for "clogging" the road to the Super Bowl with 10 AFC Championship games in 14 years. And it's not just "jealousy" - success makes NFL owners even more wealthy and more importantly it feeds their egos.

"Parity" in the NFL actually means that all team owners feel like they deserve a turn in the spotlight at the Super Bowl. Brady has upset the notion of "parity" like no other player - and even with what was consistently a late 1st round pick the Patriots couldn't be stoppped.

So even though most if not all owners HAVE to know this was a set up, even if they weren't directly behind it, they all wanted a pound of flesh from the Patriots if they could get it.

It's not unreasonable to think that Kraft felt he could end this saga for the good of the team, the fans and the NFL by simply saying "ok, we'll go without the 32nd pick " knowing that all that was really essential was to keep Brady on the field.

He underestimated the fact that the owners pulling Goodell's strings ALSO recognized that nothing short of keeping Brady off the field would stop them from another deep playoff run.

Thus FrameGate didn't end even after Kraft tried to appease the jealous owners by giving up a 1st.

It really just goes to show how corrupt the NFL is and although I hate to say it, when an organization is as corrupt as this one is, you really have to look at pulling their anti-trust exemption.

That doesn't change anything overnight, but it does put the owners on notice that the government is aware of the corruption and isn't going to enable it to continue in a beloved American sport.

I think it's really saying something when you have a guy like me, who was almost 100% in the owners corner on the last CBA, now not only pro-player, but one who would be open to the notion of the NFLPA quitting the NFL entirely and starting their own league, mirroring the current team lineups of course.

(yeah, I know that's not going to happen - but I'm just saying I'd welcome ANYONE other than the current NFL leadership and ownership running a sport that I love)

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

If there is a New England politician worth anything (doubtful), they would threaten these goons with the loss of the Anti -Trust Exception for running their business like a criminal organization.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

I USED TO look forward to the draft, spending hours with simulators and studying the incoming class, reading the threads here, etc.. Now I could care less, so yeah, I agree.

Where's the justice in punishing the fans? What the heck did we do wrong?

Not to mention all the stupid BS we have to listen to from other fans and ESPN (which is very hard NOT to watch if you ever go out to a bar, restaurant, or have to wait for a flight at the airport).

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I appreciate all the wannabe (or actual) attorneys on this board (I'm a wannabe at times). It's a definite strength when it comes to understanding the landscape we face. But I'd suggest that it's not about winning a case in a courtroom, it's about winning a case in the court of public opinion.....which can be a very powerful venue itself. Let's play in the same "court" that Roger plays in, simply to make his life miserable....and not necessarily to achieve some "ruling". I realize the naysayers will reply: "but no other fan bases will join us in this court of public opinion." But I'd counter with the fan bases of St Louis, San Diego, and Oakland (as a start). And then I'd point out that some other fan base could be the next to get thrown under the bus, if necessary to offset Roger's ineptitude.

Turnabout is fair play....

Seriously?
Someone warranted being called "wannabe" and "naysayers" for trying to apply a little rational thought? I understand preemptive attempts to try to discourage a critical discussion as most emotional responses don't have the necessary weight to make legal arguments but this is a frivolous complaint that only makes a fan base look desperate. Filing these cases without any legal basis, ensures they're tossed out with a laugh from the collective public. Think about how funny it is when other people's complaints against the Pats get tossed out...it's fodder for masses. Hold a rally, stage a protest but don't get laughed out of a courtroom with this. That's why credible lawyers don't file these. It only make them look foolish.

Enjoy your day. When this makes it to trial and/or the public sees the hypocrisy and joins the cause, I'll gather my best apology for not believing. Until then, I'll go on my experience with the law, whatever that may be.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

It did - at least as it now stands in terms of losing that 1st round draft pick. It also cements perceptions of the Pats guilt, though even without the "admission" of Kraft by giving up the pick, you'll never convince anyone who is so jealous and illogical to reject 7th grade science exoneration in the first place.

That being said I take Kraft at his word as to what his motivation was - and the evidence as I see it indicates he was sincere in thinking he was trying to help the club.

Rightfully or wrongly Kraft recognized what was behind FrameGate. Jealous owners who viewed the Patriots as continually blocking their chances in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Every AFC team must HATE the Patriots for "clogging" the road to the Super Bowl with 10 AFC Championship games in 14 years. And it's not just "jealousy" - success makes NFL owners even more wealthy and more importantly it feeds their egos.

"Parity" in the NFL actually means that all team owners feel like they deserve a turn in the spotlight at the Super Bowl. Brady has upset the notion of "parity" like no other player - and even with what was consistently a late 1st round pick the Patriots couldn't be stoppped.

So even though most if not all owners HAVE to know this was a set up, even if they weren't directly behind it, they all wanted a pound of flesh from the Patriots if they could get it.

It's not unreasonable to think that Kraft felt he could end this saga for the good of the team, the fans and the NFL by simply saying "ok, we'll go without the 32nd pick " knowing that all that was really essential was to keep Brady on the field.

He underestimated the fact that the owners pulling Goodell's strings ALSO recognized that nothing short of keeping Brady off the field would stop them from another deep playoff run.

Thus FrameGate didn't end even after Kraft tried to appease the jealous owners by giving up a 1st.

It really just goes to show how corrupt the NFL is and although I hate to say it, when an organization is as corrupt as this one is, you really have to look at pulling their anti-trust exemption.

That doesn't change anything overnight, but it does put the owners on notice that the government is aware of the corruption and isn't going to enable it to continue in a beloved American sport.

I think it's really saying something when you have a guy like me, who was almost 100% in the owners corner on the last CBA, now not only pro-player, but one who would be open to the notion of the NFLPA quitting the NFL entirely and starting their own league, mirroring the current team lineups of course.

(yeah, I know that's not going to happen - but I'm just saying I'd welcome ANYONE other than the current NFL leadership and ownership running a sport that I love)

"It really just goes to show how corrupt the NFL is and although I hate to say it, when an organization is as corrupt as this one is, you really have to look at pulling their anti-trust exemption."

Usually not a big fan of government intervention but these assh*les have really earned it. Not only from Goodell's shenanigans with the Patriots but also from coercing public financing for stadiums by threatening to take the team away.

While government intervention is usually a bad thing, big government vs. big corporations is evil vs. evil.

 

[JoeSixPat]

"It really just goes to show how corrupt the NFL is and although I hate to say it, when an organization is as corrupt as this one is, you really have to look at pulling their anti-trust exemption."

Usually not a big fan of government intervention but these assh*les have really earned it. Not only from Goodell's shenanigans with the Patriots but also from coercing public financing for stadiums by threatening to take the team away.

While government intervention is usually a bad thing, big government vs. big corporations is evil vs. evil.

Really it's not about Government intervention - just about the Government saying it's no longer going to empower the NFL to collude on various aspects of running the NFL business, effectively opening the door to others to compete

I think if you want to take any solace from FrameGate, it's that Goodell has increased the possibility of others noting all the breaks they get - and in fact a congresswoman has already introduced legislation to pull the exemption (over the Redskins name)

How the NFL Fleeces Taxpayers

(a little out dated - in part because the NFL gave up its tax exempt status - no doubt wanting to proactively address an issue that would have come up - and minimize scrutiny over what anti-trust exemption grants them

Note that 12 stadiums receiving public dollars have actually PROFITED from the subsidies alone - that is they took in more taxpayer dollars then it cost to build

 

[borg]

Why haven't any of the Mass. politicians used their soapboxes to publicly question the unfair treatment of their hometown team. Instead of stumping for Communists, why isn't Senator Pocahontas Warren doing her thing and blasting the evil capitalists of the Full 31 on the floor of the Senate.
Seriously......wtf else do these bloviators have to do in their day besides beg for money and sell out America.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Why haven't any of the Mass. politicians used their soapboxes to publicly question the unfair treatment of their hometown team. Instead of stumping for Communists, why isn't Senator Pocahontas Warren doing her thing and blasting the evil capitalists of the Full 31 on the floor of the Senate.
Seriously......wtf else do these bloviators have to do in their day besides beg for money and sell out America.

Speaking of soapboxes, you should really check out this forum......

Political Discussion | New England Patriots Forums - PatsFans.com Patriots Fan Messageboard

 

[borg]

Speaking of soapboxes, you should really check out this forum......

Political Discussion | New England Patriots Forums - PatsFans.com Patriots Fan Messageboard

Can't visit the bowels of PatsFans ever again.
The moderator, Patters, is a card-carrying commie who is on a self- appointed mission to convert evil capitalists to the dark side....Darryl has been turned....and if memory serves me right, you too. Why Ian allows her to run amuck over there is puzzling. Thank god for Harry.
Slightly OT: my AC repairman was just at my house and we were discussing why Socialist Bernie Sanders was attracting such support from the impressionable/ignorant college age crowd....and having grown up in Socialist /Communist Bulgaria, the repairman said if these 2o somethings actually knew what life was like living in that type of restricted society, they would never support such a politician. He then told me of his years living in socialist Sweden visiting homes with so few possessions inside because the government overtaxes the population to fund everything. He said most people there are miserable.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Can't visit the bowels of PatsFans ever again.
The moderator, Patters, is a card-carrying commie who is on a self- appointed mission to convert evil capitalists to the dark side....Darryl has been turned....and if memory serves me right, you too. Why Ian allows her to run amuck over there is puzzling. Thank god for Harry.
Slightly OT: my AC repairman was just at my house and we were discussing why Socialist Bernie Sanders was attracting such support from the impressionable/ignorant college age crowd....and having grown up in Socialist /Communist Bulgaria, the repairman said if these 2o somethings actually knew what life was like living in that type of restricted society, they would never support such a politician. He then told me of his years living in socialist Sweden visiting homes with so few possessions inside because the government overtaxes the population to fund everything. He said most people there are miserable.

I'd never want to visit such a hopeless and miserable place....

 

[Joker]

wait a second...you have a freakin' repairman from Bulgaria? OK, starting to sniff bullshyt...and this repairman went to Sweden to work?..I mean, the stank is gettin' thick now....so, this AIR CONDITIONER repairman (why the **** would ANYBODY in Sweden NEED air conditioning?) told you they're rushing for the borders to emigrate from Sweden to ANYWHERE else?

Uh, I think I would have heard something about this phenomenon by now, seeing as I'm a horny old goat with a ton of cash and a burning lust for Swedish "pastries" so to speak...

so...your Bulgarian HVAC "genius" convinced you that Sweden SUCKS and the whole damn country wants to LEAVE? I think your "pal-ovich" buddy has been hitting the Rakia bottle a little hard..n'est ce pas?

 

[Big Bucks]

Sent the guy a tweet giving support and copied in Tom E.Curran and Mike Reiss, Tom Curran liked my tweet. haha

 

[OhExaulted1]

wait a second...you have a freakin' repairman from Bulgaria? OK, starting to sniff bullshyt...and this repairman went to Sweden to work?..I mean, the stank is gettin' thick now....so, this AIR CONDITIONER repairman (why the **** would ANYBODY in Sweden NEED air conditioning?) told you they're rushing for the borders to emigrate from Sweden to ANYWHERE else?

Uh, I think I would have heard something about this phenomenon by now, seeing as I'm a horny old goat with a ton of cash and a burning lust for Swedish "pastries" so to speak...

so...your Bulgarian HVAC "genius" convinced you that Sweden SUCKS and the whole damn country wants to LEAVE? I think your "pal-ovich" buddy has been hitting the Rakia bottle a little hard..n'est ce pas?

That's a very astute point Joker.

 

[Joker]

They sure are "running for the borders!!!!" in Sweden alright....heh...sometimes I think this board is a Lewis Carroll production and we're all Mad Hatters...

 

[Big Bucks]

The problem with that map is that they are all given a passport and therefore can roam anywhere within the EU. Where will they go.. to the place that gives the best benefits and free National Health service. The UK is ****ed.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'd be interested if a lawyer familiar with Massachusetts consumer law could enlighten us on what it takes to have standing to file a suit like this. Is it enough just to be a fan with a rooting interest in the team or would only the team itself actually have the standing to file such a suit as the damaged party?

Common Sense suggests that the team might have the standing to file suit. Whether it would be successful is another matter.

 

[Lavictoire]

.....I won't be an NFL fan for much longer anyway, so anyone drafted now doesn't interest me.

Me too.

 

[Big Bucks]

Anyway.. online petition started. Whether you think it will not do any good or it might. Just don't sit on your hands moaning about Goodell being a twunt. Help someone that is trying to at least do something, doesn't matter if you think it will be thrown out. We all agree its got to start from something no matter how stupid or forlorn you feel it might be.

[email protected] , [email][email protected][/email]: NFL: RESTORATION OF THE 1ST & 4TH ROUND (PATRIOTS) 2016 DRAFT PICKS

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Curran said in his podcast the other day following the Tom Brady Sr. interview that apparently there's talk inside the team of pursuing this, so I don't think it's completely dead. But I think they face an uphill battle, although I think the league's failure to disclose the psi measurements this season is about as shady as it gets and might open the door for it. As a result, I think Kraft faces a difficult decision where he'll have to actually put their own interests ahead of the other owners, who don't care about him anyway and I'm sure have enjoyed this whole process, and actually make some sort of move to recoup it. Given the fact losing that pick puts him and his team at a competitive disadvantage - and unfairly considering the obvious lack of evidence - I think they at least need to make the effort either way.

I think the smart move is to wait and see how this plays out after the Second Circuit rules on the Appeal.

Goodell did not give a straight answer at his SB presser as to whether Brady would have to serve his suspension, even if the League prevails on the Appeal. That suggests they know that the factual underpinnings of the findings have crumbled beneath them.

I think that Kraft and the NFLPA are keeping their powder dry until after the Appeals process. If the Second Circuit upholds Berman's ruling and if the NFL decides at that point to let the matter drop entirely, which it likely will do, there are a wide range of scenarios that could unfold.

Once the original case is resolved, there are a lot of things that the team and NFLPA can do, but, on the assumption that Berman is upheld, I think the smart thing is to leave the first move to the NFL...for about 48 hours. After that, all hell could break loose.