With Tremendous Bowl LVI now within the rearview, the NFL has nothing to distract from the obvious allegations towards Miami Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross — levied by former head coach Brian Flores in a lawsuit that claims Ross supplied as a lot as $100,000 for each loss the workforce landed in 2019. The alleged purpose was to deliberately tank for a greater draft spot, one thing that strikes on the very coronary heart of the league’s integrity, and after initially issuing an announcement stating Flores’ allegations had been “with out advantage,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has since completed an abrupt and definitive about-face.
The league has not solely launched an investigation into Flores’ allegations of Rooney Rule violations by the New York Giants of their hiring course of that ended with Brian Daboll being named head coach, but in addition into claims Ross was trying to pay for losses. It is a damning allegation that, if confirmed true, might end in excessive self-discipline, as much as and together with Ross being pressured out of the NFL by a vote of different house owners — per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
“I do consider that golf equipment do have the authority to take away an proprietor from the league,” Goodell mentioned on Wednesday.
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It will require a three-fourths vote amongst possession, however given the accusations, it’s totally potential. That’s, in fact, if the NFL can show a proposal to Flores occurred, which might additionally result in sanctions by the league itself towards the group and never merely towards Ross. That would come within the type of a large wonderful and/or misplaced future draft picks, and anything Goodell feels is justified, though the commissioner will not speculate on what the punishment(s) can be, aside from to intimate they’d match the acute severity of the potential violation.
Ross adamantly denies the allegations.
“I’m a person or honor and integrity and can’t allow them to stand with out responding,” he mentioned, through the Miami Herald. “I take nice private exception to those malicious assaults, and the reality should be identified. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory. We perceive there are media reviews stating that the NFL intends to analyze his claims, and we are going to cooperate absolutely.
“I welcome that investigation and I’m desirous to defend my private integrity, and the integrity and values of your entire Miami Dolphins group, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims.”
It would not be the primary time in current historical past an NFL proprietor has been pressured out, with former Carolina Panthers proprietor Jerry Richardson having been pressured to promote 5 years in the past in gentle of racial slurs and sexual harassment allegations — the latter mirroring what Washington Commanders proprietor Dan Snyder is at the moment trying to defend himself towards each to the U.S. Congress and now the NFL. The investigation into Ross remains to be in its infancy, however the league seems hell-bent on attending to the reality of the matter, contemplating the potential ramifications that stretch into the realm of sports activities betting.
