As you might imagine, the NFLPA was rather pleased by Judge Richard Berman’s ruling which overturned Tom Brady’s #DeflateGate suspension.
And in their celebration, they were careful to note that this was merely the latest loss in court for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“The rights of Tom Brady and of all NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement were affirmed today by a Federal Judge in a court of the NFL’s choosing,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement. “We thank Judge Berman for his time, careful consideration of the issue and fair and just result.
“This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. While the CBA grants the person who occupies the position of Commissioner the ability to judiciously and fairly exercise the designated power of that position, the union did not agree to attempts to unfairly, illegally exercise that power, contrary to what the NFL has repeatedly and wrongfully claimed.
“We are happy for the victory of the rule of law for our players and our fans. This court’s decision to overturn the NFL Commissioner again should signal to every NFL owner that collective bargaining is better than legal losses. Collective bargaining is a much better process that will lead to far better results.”
That’s a fairly strong gloat at a moment when the league is reeling, from a loss even bigger than the Saints alleged bounty scandal and bigger than anything involving Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson or Greg Hardy.