The NFL has imposed several penalties on the Miami Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross. This was due to “improper conversations” with quarterback Tom Brady and former NFL head coach Sean Payton.

Munich – The NFL has revoked the Miami Dolphins’ 2023 first-round pick and 2023 third-round pick for violating integrity of the game rules. The league made the announcement.

The franchise had illicitly talked to Tom Brady about a possible trade in 2019 while he was still under contract with the New England Patriots. The same thing happened a few years later when the signal caller, who turns 45 on Wednesday, was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the time, it was probably about Brady becoming co-owner of the Miami Dolphins.

However, the so-called “tampering” around Tom Brady did not remain the only case. In January 2022, there were also “improper talks” with Sean Payton about a possible head coaching job. At the time, the 58-year-old was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints. Miami had not sought approval from New Orleans for those talks. Subsequent enquiries were blocked by the Saints.

Roger Goodell condemns Dolphins’ actions

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell strongly condemned the franchise’s actions. “Investigators found tampering violations of unprecedented scope and severity. I am not aware of any previous case where a team has violated the prohibition against tampering with both a head coach and a star player to the potential detriment of other clubs over a period of several years. “

Here is the full NFL release on the Dolphins violations related to the integrity of the game pic.twitter.com/mdmJMBpNAz

– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2022

There is some positive news for the Miami Dolphins, however. The investigation revealed that the team did not intentionally lose any games in the 2019 season. This is what former coach Brian Flores had accused the franchise of doing after he was fired.

Flores, in a statement, expressed disappointment with the league’s decision and again accused Dolphins owner Stephen Ross of offering him money if they intentionally lost games.

Statement from Brian Flores pic.twitter.com/G538eTNOLi

– Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 2, 2022

In addition to being stripped of his draft picks, Ross was fined $1.5 million, plus suspended until October 17 of this year.

Owner Stephen Ross accepts the fine

Bruce Beal, Miami vice-chairman and limited partner, was also fined $500,000 and banned from attending league meetings for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Statement from Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross: pic.twitter.com/M1SEwzejDP

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022

In a statement, Stephen Ross declared that now “finally all the allegations of Brian Flores are out of the way”. At the same time, he stated that although he did not agree with the punishment, he accepted it.