In the new report ESPN says the Spygate scandal was worse than reported. Sources cited by ESPN said the Patriots recorded as many as 40 games between 2000 and 2007, far more than the handful Goodell spoke about when punishing the team.

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The Patriots responded to the report saying "Tis type of reporting over the past seven years has led to additional unfounded, unwarranted and, quite frankly, unbelievable allegations by former players, coaches and executives."

>>RELATED: Read the full Patriots response

ESPN says the spring after Spygate, Goodell promised NFL owners that the league would deal with any team caught cheating forcefully.

>>RELATED: Read the full ESPN The Magazine report

Ultimately, Goodell's decision to suspend Tom Brady for 4 games for his alleged involvement in deflating footballs before the 2015 AFC Championship Game was overturned by a federal judge, WFXT reported.

This is a developing news story, stay with MyFoxBoston.com for the latest information as it becomes available.