phins_4_ever
E12 FH Tailgate Gang
Any other team would of got the book thrown at them by the NFL and the Commish.
Talk about lifetime suspensions for coaches, equipment managers, players suspended. Records slashed, asterisks, multi-million dollar fines, entire drafts forfeited.
But with the Pats...nothing.
Can't have a entire decade of glory by a NFL franchise tossed away over a deflated footballs and some practice video tapes.
Can't have NFL Super Bowls tarnished, HOF careers erased over deflated footballs and some practice video tapes.
The NFL is in too deep to allow anything to happen. It would damage the game beyond comprehension.
Goodell legacy would be destroyed as the one Commish who allowed the game to be cheated.
What would the impact on Vegas bookies be? What would the impact on fans be?
Would people stop watching the NFL now knowing that this 'dynasty' of a team has cheated its way to multiple super bowls, HOF careers, etc....?
Do you re-write record books? Take away super bowls?
From now until the end of time people will connect Kraft/Billicheat/Brady to scandals and cheating when talked about 'dynasty.
You are missing the other big picture. It makes it clear why the other owners play along.
Even a guy like Ross makes money on the Dolphins. The owner of the bottom barrel franchises makes money. That is the neat thing of shared revenue.
Spygate was 'closed' and the tapes quickly destroyed in New England (without Goodell ever having seen them) after Congress wanted to get involved. The issue was the withdrawal of the tax exempt status and withdrawal from the anti trust laws. It would have been devastating (financially and social standing) for the owners. Goodell was elected by the owners to protect their interests only, not of the fans and media.