Blank says Brady ruling is 'unhealthy' for NFL

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman issued a 40-page ruling  He concluded that there were "several significant

legal deficiencies in how NFL commissioner Roger Goodell investigated accusation that the Patriots used deflated football in the AFC championship game.

The NFL failed to give Brady proper notice he could be suspended, didn’t provide him the opportunity to question one of the league’s investigators and denied him equal access to investigative files, Berman wrote in his ruling.

The NFL is appealing the ruling, but won’t seek a stay of the ruling. Therefore, Brady should be allowed to play in the Patriots’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Thursday.

Blank believes that the commissioner’s unfettered powers to discipline players was impeded upon by the federal court.

“This deflategate thing which isn’t about deflatedgate any longer, it’s about what has been collectively negotiated for decades in terms of the commissioner’s responsibility in terms of disciplining players,” Blank said. “If we have to look at that differently in today’s light, in today’s environment, as an ownership group we should be prepared to do that. The commissioner should be prepared to do that.”

Blank didn’t seem agree with the notion of the league appealing the matter.

“I would have rather seen it end with a positive ruling for the NFL,” Blank said. “I understand why the commissioner and the league feel as strongly as it does about trying to protect the rights that for decades have been collectively bargained. I think that is important.

“I don’t think they should be re-bargained in a federal court. Having said that, I think the commissioner and the ownership around the league have to be prepared to look at things, look at change and change may be appropriate.”