The Miami Dolphins have been hit with the most important tampering penalty in NFL historical past for his or her flirtation with Tom Brady courting again to 2019. The Dolphins have been docked a 2023 first spherical draft choose and a 2024 third spherical draft choose, whereas proprietor Stephen Ross has been fined $1.5 million and suspended by means of Oct. 17, the NFL introduced on Tuesday.
The Dolphins’ plan to land Brady and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was reported by a number of retailers earlier this yr. You possibly can learn the wild particulars right here. Miami’s curiosity in Brady continued as he moved from the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miami’s penalty was so vital as a result of the league discovered they tampered with with three completely different franchises within the Pats, Bucs, and Saints.
Right here’s the league’s full assertion on what it discovered throughout its investigation into the Dolphins:
Our James Dator summed up Miami’s plan to land Brady like this when the unique studies began circling in April.
The plan would have seen Brady retire from the Buccaneers, Payton resign from the Saints, after which be part of forces in Miami. Brady would take a high-ranking job as an govt, serving as his foray from the sector into the entrance workplace. After Tampa Bay had moved on, Brady would announce that he needed to return to soccer, pushing for Miami to make a commerce with the Buccaneers. This plan was first reported by Entrance Workplace Sports activities, however later confirmed by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who provided extra data on the alleged plan.
Brady allegedly would have taken on a job with the Dolphins just like that of Derek Jeter with the Marlins, although it’s unclear if an possession stake would have been concerned as nicely.
The strangest a part of the NFL’s assertion was the conclusion that the tanking bounty provides made to former head coach Brian Flores had been made in jest. Ross reportedly provided Flores $100K for each recreation Miami misplaced throughout the 2019 season to enhance the crew’s draft place, which Flores reportedly resisted. Right here’s a full clarification of the tanking bounty allegations. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued the next remark following the investigation.
So, to be clear, the NFL’s investigation into the declare that Stephen Ross provided Brian Flores $100,000 per loss discovered “ahh he was simply kidding, that is simply how Stephen jokes round”? pic.twitter.com/Z1JvDFzat3
— Invoice Barnwell (@billbarnwell) August 2, 2022
That is the second huge NFL punishment handed out this week following a six-game suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after he was sued for sexual assault by 30 completely different ladies. The suspension to Ross is similar size as Watson, however the league framed it completely different — giving it a precise day somewhat than going by the week of the season — probably keep away from direct comparisons between the 2 punishments.
Apparently sufficient, Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross’ suspension ends the day after the crew’s Week 6 recreation. Which is … the day Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s suspension ends.
Central to the NFLPA’s protection of Watson was a double-standard between homeowners and gamers.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 2, 2022
The Dolphins’ grand plan to land Brady by no means bought off the bottom. After main the Bucs to a Tremendous Bowl LV championship, Brady had Tampa Bay within the NFC title recreation final yr earlier than the crew misplaced to the Los Angeles Rams. Brady retired this offseason, however shortly introduced he was popping out of retirement to take the sector for Tampa Bay as soon as once more. He shall be 45 years previous in the beginning of this season.
The Dolphins completed 9-8 final yr and employed Mike McDaniel as their new head coach over the offseason.