NFL Suspends Dolphins Owner for Tampering with Brady, Payton
SnopesDec 27, 2022
The Facts
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was suspended Tues. by the NFL through Oct. 17, 2022, and fined $1.5M for tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton while they were with other organizations.
In addition to Ross' fine and suspension, the Dolphins will forfeit a 2023 first-round and a 2024 third-round draft pick. Ross is not permitted to enter a Dolphins facility until his suspension has been served.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The NFL is showing it takes misconduct seriously. It is very unusual for you to see the NFL commissioner go after an owner with such veracity. Considering Ross' punishment, and the NFL's current attempt to get Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson suspended for longer than the six games that an independent disciplinary officer banned him for, Roger Goodell seems to be growing in confidence when it comes to cracking down on actions that tarnish the league's image.
Establishment-critical narrative
Many of the problems in the NFL begin with the team owners. Before the Ross suspension, the NFL's slap on the wrist for Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder proved it is incapable of policing itself. Weak punishments only serve as an optical illusion to distract from the seriousness of these violations and keep the league gaining fans and pocketing their money.
Narrative C
Interestingly, had the Dolphins flopped in 2019, Ross' punishment could've been much more severe. Ross should be more apologetic, especially toward Flores, who coached his team so well that the investigation determined the offer to tank games wasn't serious.
