Deflategate judge to ‘rule’ by Sept 4
NEW YORK, Aug 19, (AP): The judge presiding over the ‘’Deflategate’’ case said Wednesday that he hopes to rule before the NFL opens its season on whether the league was justified in suspending New England quarterback Tom Brady for four games. But he urged a settlement, calling it a ‘’logical and rational option.’’
US District Judge Richard M. Berman announced his plans at the start of a hearing in which lawyers made oral arguments that negotiations were continuing but have so far been unsuccessful.
Berman said he hoped to rule by Sept 4, six days before the Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL’s season-opening game.
Neither Brady nor NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was in court Wednesday. The Manhattan judge said both would be required to attend an Aug 31 hearing.
Repeating his sentiments from a similar hearing a week ago which Brady and Goodell attended, Berman said that he saw strengths and weaknesses in both side’s arguments. “A settlement seems like a logical and rational option,’’ he said.