'Deflategate' Judge Could Throw Out Brady Suspension

By DANIEL LIBON (Patch Staff)

Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady could soon be free of his four-game suspension for allegedly deflating footballs.

CBS Boston reports that U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman warned an NFL lawyer during oral arguments Wednesday that there is precedent for judges to throw out penalties issued by arbitrators, citing several weaknesses in the way the league handled the Deflategate scandal.

Earlier this year, Brady was suspended for his alleged role in the scandal that would become known as Deflategate. In July, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held up the suspension after an appeal hearing.

Neither Brady or Goodell were in court Wednesday, but both will be back for an Aug. 31 hearing. If there is no deal, Berman said he hopes to issue a ruling by Sept. 4