The NFL has ruled that the Miami Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross have violated the integrity of the game. These allegations are centered around communications the team had with both quarterback Tom Brady and Head Coach Sean Payton while both were under contract with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints respectively. The Miami Dolphins have been stripped of their 2023 NFL Draft first-round pick and their 2024 NFL Draft third-round pick. Owner Stephen Ross has been suspended until October 17th and has been fined $1.5 million. This investigation began when former Head Coach Brian Flores blew the whistle after he was fired.
NFL stripped the Dolphins of their 2023 first-round draft pick and 2024 third-round pick for violating the integrity of the game.
Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross also suspended through Oct. 17 and fined $1.5 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022
The NFL investigation found a concerning pattern with the Miami Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross. With both Tom Brady, Sean Payton, and their agents the team violated league rules over the curse of several years. Accusations from former Head Coach Brian Flores also included that Ross instructed him to lose games on purpose. The NFL did not find any evidence that this was true. Tampering is still a serious charge and the NFL found serious concerns there.\
Goodell: “Investigators found tampering violations of unprecedented scope and severity. I know of no prior instance of a team violating the prohibition of tampering with both a head coach and star player, to the potential detriment of other clubs, over a period of several years.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022
The NFL also fined Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman and Limited Partner Bruce Beal $500,000 and ordered him not to attend league meetings for the rest of the 2022 NFL season. Owner Stephen Ross issued the following statement after the NFL made the ruling: “The independent investigation cleared our organization on any issues related to tanking and all of Brian Flores; other allegations. As I have said all along, these allegations were false, malicious, and defamatory, and this issue is put to rest. With regards to tampering, I strongly disagree with the conclusions and the punishment. However, I will accept the outcome because the most important thing is that there be no distractions for our team as we begin an exciting and winning season. I will not allow anything to get in the way of that.”
These punishments are a serious stain on the Miami Dolphins franchise.
