Saturday 1 August 2015 09:21, UK
A judge in New York said Friday he expects New England quarterback Tom Brady and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to be available for conferences in August aimed at resolving 'Deflategate'.
US District Court Judge Richard Berman is hearing the case which began in January when footballs used by Brady and the Patriots' offensive unit were found to be below NFL minimums for air pressure during a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A league investigation found Brady likely knew about Patriots employees deflating the balls – although Brady has steadfastly denied any knowledge of the matter – and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld his four-game ban on Tuesday, prompting Brady to take the matter to federal court.
Berman told both sides on Friday he was scheduling a conference for August 12 "with your principals (including, without limitation, Mr. Goodell and Mr. Brady)", and will hold another on August 19 if the matter isn't settled by then.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association on Friday had asked the court to expedite a ruling, saying a decision before the September 4 start of the 2015 season would be in the best interest of both parties.
The union's lawsuit challenging the suspension on Brady's behalf was filed in Minnesota, but has been transferred to the court in New York, where Goodell had already sought to have his ruling upheld in court.
Berman has urged the parties to pursue a "mutually acceptable resolution" of the case, and also cautioned both sides to "tone down their rhetoric".
Brady was greeted by adoring fans at the Patriots' second day of training camp on Friday and looked sharp, throwing an array of pinpoint passes.
"He's out here doing what everyone else is doing, trying to get better," Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman said of the team's superstar signal-caller.
"It's a new year. There's a bunch of individual goals that everyone has. I'm sure you can ask him what his are, but he's coming out here, putting the time in just like everyone else and just trying to get better."
