4:12 p.m.: The NFL’s appeal hearing is over, and while Tom Brady wasn’t even in attendance, it appears it wasn’t a good day in court for the New England Patriots. Reporters on the scene in New York say two of the three judges seemed to favor the league.
There likely won’t be a resolution to the hearing for months. A ruling could even come during the 2016 NFL season. Until then, Brady, the NFL, the NFL Players Association and fans will just have to wait.
3:21 p.m.:
2 p.m.: Reporters are not allowed to report live from the courtroom, so we might need to wait for someone on the scene to step out before we receive updates.
1 p.m. ET: Deflategate drama wasn’t missed, but it’s back in the headlines anyway Thursday.
The NFL’s appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman’s decision to vacate Tom Brady’s four-game suspension begins Thursday at 2 p.m. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann, Judge Denny Chin and Senior-Status Judge Barrington D. Parker will hear the NFL’s appeal. Both the NFL and NFL Players Association’s lawyers will have 15 minutes to state their cases. The three judges also can ask questions during each 15-minute period.
Brady and the NFLPA are the favorites to win the NFL’s appeal, but obviously anything can happen in court. Katzmann and Chin are more left-leaning and were appointed by Democrat presidents, so they could favor labor over management.
There likely won’t be a resolution to the appeal until the summer or fall, though the judges’ line of questioning could hint at which way they’re leaning.
Stay here for updates on the appeal throughout the day.
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
