U.S. Judge Richard Berman wasn't able to bring the NFLPA, on behalf of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and the NFL together on a settlement agreement in the Deflategate case during the most recent round of talks on Monday - talks which included Giants owner John Mara and went "nowhere." But there was good news for Patriots fans despite the lack of a final determination - Berman indicated that he "fully expects" to offer a ruling by the Sept. 4 deadline he initially set but, more importantly, indicated that he could deliver a decision by "tomorrow or the day after."
Tom E. Curran of CSN New England reported Monday that Berman looked "somewhat disappointed" after the day's proceedings, though he did credit both sides for their "willingness" to work towards an, as of yet undiscovered, common ground.
NY Daily News columnist Gary Myers reported that Berman will either stick with the four-game suspension handed to Brady by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of the Deflategate scandal and the findings of the Wells Report or he'll vacate the ruling entirely and then "expect appeal."
"I trust the court will give us a just result," NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler said, via Myers.
With a ruling apparently imminent, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk took a look at the potential likelihood of the loser of the current federal court battle taking the loss to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
"Eventually, a three-judge panel assigned from 22 total judges on the circuit would hear the case and decide it," writes Florio. "The losing party at that point could petition for a rehearing before the entire 22-judge Second Circuit. Eventually, the losing party could try to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case."
Of course, further legal battles would only prolong the case and increase the attention on what has already become a blemish both for the league and for Brady, one of the NFL's biggest stars. It seems unlikely that either side will look to drag this matter out further, but it's difficult to be sure in a case that has already seen so many twists and turns and been drawn out for months longer than expected.
