Following Judge Richard Berman's decision to vacate the four-game suspension doled out to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the most interesting fallout might be NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's relationship with the owners.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank expressed concern about how many lawsuits the NFL has been involved with over the past few years to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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"It's not healthy for the NFL to be in the kind of litigious position that it's been for last several years," Blank said.
"I think that the commissioner is working hard to hold up the respect and integrity of the game, the competitive balance of the game and the shield. Having said that, I think we have to find ways to get to a better place sooner with the NFLPA than the process that we've gone through."
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The Brady decision might have opened up the door for more legal action as well. Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy is already considering an appeal of his four-game suspension which has already been reduced from 10 games following domestic violence allegations.
Previously, the NFL was beaten in court by lawyers for Adrian Peterson, who argued that he was incorrectly suspended under new policies when his transgressions took place before they took effect, and Ray Rice, for essentially being punished twice for one offense.
"This deflategate thing which isn't about deflatedgate any longer, it's about what has been collectively negotiated for decades in terms of the commissioner's responsibility in terms of disciplining players," Blank said.
"If we have to look at that differently in today's light, in today's environment, as an ownership group we should be prepared to do that. The commissioner should be prepared to do that."
Blank is likely referring to Goodell's ability to hear appeals of suspended players, after they've been the subject of an investigations paid for by the NFL. Brady's legal team argued that Ted Wells, whose firm has reportedly been paid $45 million by the NFL for two investigations, was not impartial in his report.
Judge Berman agreed in his decision.
In the ruling, Judge Berman puts "independent" in quotes every time he refers to Wells investigation. Nice.
— Marshall Hook (@marshallhook) September 3, 2015
Goodell has issued a statement saying the NFL will appeal Judge Berman's ruling. Goodell will not attent Thursday night's season opener between the Patriots and Steelers, citing that the focus should be on the games, and not Deflategate. Goodell has enjoyed strong support from ownership throughout his various sagas, but it appears the belief in him is waning.
Blank is openly questioning the current setup, and there's no doubt New England owner Robert Kraft won't be sending a Christmas card.
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