#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[DJnVa]

All true, but at some point you have to stop digging.

 

[theapportioner]

I'm not sure on what grounds they would fire Kensil. Even if this was an agenda-driven sting/personal vendetta, they can portray it as Kensil acting in good faith--if a little overzealously--to ensure fair play and integrity and so on. The balls were technically under spec, after all. I imagine proving particularly malicious intent on his part would be just as difficult as it has been for anyone to prove the Patriots did anything to the footballs.
 
Maybe he'll be quietly transferred to a new position and/or unofficially barred from working Patriots games. A firing would be surprising, imo.

 
It's Goodell. He's not exactly King Solomon when it comes to meting out justice. If the tides are turning against Kensil, he'll dispose of him in a manner that's best for Goodell.

 

[ifmanis5]

It doesn't make Goodell et al look good that this happened on their watch, and the more guilt they heap on Kensil, the more spills onto their shoes, too.

True, it doesn't make the NFL look good but Roger can play sheriff again and say 'hey, I cleaned up this mess! It was just a bad apple and I did my job. You're welcome.' Roger will make himself look like Batman by the time he's done giving himself awards. How that plays out to the public is anyone's guess but I think that's where we are headed.

 

[Corsi]

edit: posted already

 

[nighthob]

It's actually the sixth round.  He's already been through five on his own.

There's no chance that the rest of the owners wrap up the meeting in five minutes...

 

[Doctor G]

Well, the more facts come out the more likely it seems that they will have to admit just that. Their head of game day operations was willing to allow the first half of a conference championship game to possibly be played with under-inflated balls (since that's what he had been told to look for) in an effort to stick it to a franchise he's long had it in for. His whole fucking job is to ensure an even playing field, which would entail that the balls were measured properly and recorded and then handled appropriately so that any such possible deflation would never happen in the first place. He didn't do ANY of that.
 
He, in fact, violated tons of league rules by going down to the sidelines and messing with the balls himself. EXPRESSLY AGAINST THE RULE BOOK.
 
Plus, he failed to stop an NFL employee from stealing game used K balls for personal gain.
 
He's absolutely getting fired. It's the least he deserves. He's lucky he won't be getting executed, quite frankly. He's a fucking disgrace.

if they have testimony from Yette that he was advised by Kensil to "find" something questionable. that would seem to be enough.

 

[Hoya81]

 
Well, it wouldn't have been a big deal had this been handled discreetly.  But, the second the Pats were whipped in the media for 2 weeks leading up to the SB without any intervention from the NFL it became clear that the Kensil-cum-tail was wagging the league and even if they sell it as a rogue employee, the fact is that rogue employee was able to send shockwaves throughout the league and damage one of its most valuable franchises.  It doesn't make Goodell et al look good that this happened on their watch, and the more guilt they heap on Kensil, the more spills onto their shoes, too.

I don't think Kensil shared this with Goodell before the game because I doubt Goodell would have spent the night before the game at Krafts house if he was about to spring a trap on him.

 

[E5 Yaz]

All true, but at some point you have to stop digging.

 
Nah, they'll escape through the other end of the hole

 

[snowmanny]

Question: is Florio really "anti-Pats"? My sense this whole time is that he has vacillated between thinking this is a HUGE deal and that people are overreacting. If Kensil is indeed his source, what agenda does his reporting represent exactly?

My sense of Florio is that he believes that there was some sort of sting operation set up because there was reason to consider Patriots ball deflation at a previous game, but the people from the NFL who took this on screwed up the actual sting at the AFCCG so badly that no actual evidence exists or they themselves might be in trouble.  So he always seems to go back and forth between" there's really no hard evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of the Pats at the AFCCG" and "but there may have been some wrongdoing anyway that day or another day."
 
That being said, there are a few particular questions (raised before) that I wish some actual reporter would try to get someone to answer:
 
1.  What exactly did the Colts (or Ravens) see at a previous game that raised the issue to begin with?
2.  How does the NFL reconcile the fact that for years balls have been required to be within a 1.0 PSI range with the fact that typical atmospheric conditions in November-January in cold weather cities will change the PSI by more than 1.0?  Were they just unaware of this fact for seventy years?  Or is the PSI not that important?
3.  If there was a belief that the deflation was an "Integrity of the game" issue and a "level playing field" issue AND the refs and/or Colts and/or league was aware of the potential issue going into the AFCCG why didn't they immediately check the balls to make sure that we the fans were watching a fair game?  This seems incredibly inconsistent.
4.  If deflated balls are so important to Brady and/or Belichick and they have supposedly been working on this for years, why is it that no former player, coach, equpiment manager or team official has come forward remembering sketchy things being done with balls or comments about PSI by Brady?  It seems remarkable to me that if this is something they did there is nobody who is now on another team or retired or working at a 7-11 who hasn't come out and said "Oh yeah we did that all the time when I was there."

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

 
Well, the more facts come out the more likely it seems that they will have to admit just that. Their head of game day operations was willing to allow the first half of a conference championship game to possibly be played with under-inflated balls (since that's what he had been told to look for) in an effort to stick it to a franchise he's long had it in for. His whole fucking job is to ensure an even playing field, which would entail that the balls were measured properly and recorded and then handled appropriately so that any such possible deflation would never happen in the first place. He didn't do ANY of that.
 
He, in fact, violated tons of league rules by going down to the sidelines and messing with the balls himself. EXPRESSLY AGAINST THE RULE BOOK.
 
Plus, he failed to stop an NFL employee from stealing game used K balls for personal gain.
 
He's absolutely getting fired. It's the least he deserves. He's lucky he won't be getting executed, quite frankly. He's a fucking disgrace.

Kensil won't be fired. Remember way back to the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson scandals when folks here (including me) thought Goodell would be shown the door? Yeah, that didn't happen.

From the Patriots perspective, this "scandal" will be papered over. At worst, they may still receive some penalty. The only people who give two fucks about the story anymore are our pathetic fucking lot and the media who caters to us.

Kraft may care too but he is currently busy screwing models after picking them up by flashing his new Lombardi.

In other words, don't hold your breath for the Wells investigation to exonerate the Patriots. It ain't happening.

 

[dcmissle]

Question: is Florio really "anti-Pats"? My sense this whole time is that he has vacillated between thinking this is a HUGE deal and that people are overreacting. If Kensil is indeed his source, what agenda does his reporting represent exactly?

No, I don't believe he is. But Florio is searching for clicks like everyone else, and since he sold out to NBC, he has pulled his punches and walked a fine line vis a via the League office.

The old Florio -- the one who hilariously ridiculed Tony Kornheiser's petty vendettas and absurd role on MNF ("Kornholio") -- would be having a field day with this shit sandwich the League has served up. He's well positioned to do so with his legal expertise.

But again, he's pulling punches. NBC has paired him with Peter King on the broadcasts, for God's sake, and look at how Collinsworth has swallowed for the League on stuff like the Ray Rice matter.

 

[Beale13]

Michael Cimino gets it.  Yes, that Michael Cimino.  
 
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/deer-hunter-directors-first-interview-773132
 
And holy crap what did he do to his face.  

 

[Ed Hillel]

No, I don't believe he is. But Florio is searching for clicks like everyone else, and since he sold out to NBC, he has pulled his punches and walked a fine line vis a via the League office.

 
Florio's about more than clicks, he gets very personal. Whenever he feels he's been slighted, he'll start producing and slanting stories in a petty manner. He took a lot of crap from Pats fans about Deflategate and his anger about it was palpable. I have very little question he slanted some of those stories because he resented some of the comments he was receiving. Just listen to him when he's on the radio, it's clear he's a very angy and emotional person, and he is driven by an intense desire to be better than others. He's one of those people that makes everybody hate lawyers.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Michael Cimino gets it.  Yes, that Michael Cimino.  
 
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/deer-hunter-directors-first-interview-773132
 
And holy crap what did he do to his face.  

 
If that's the guy going to bat for us, we're fucked.
 

 
 
 There's got to be some extreme emotional reaction for the movie to be doing that well. It hasn't happened sinceDeer Hunter. I mean, all the movies that have been made about war, from Platoon to the thing the girl made about the box …

 

[simplyeric]

 
This is great. Mort's 11 of 12 tweet was like finding out there used to be an Easter Bunny AND Santa Claus until they killed each other. BB's lecture was like finding out that neither of them ever existed so who cares. Butler's interception was like realizing we can survive on our own without them, and the last week or two has been like finding out that the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus are alive and well but exist only to serve us.

I hearby nominate this for Best Post of the Thread (non analysis category)
This was gorgeous.

 

[Kull]

Kensil won't be fired. Remember way back to the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson scandals when folks here (including me) thought Goodell would be shown the door? Yeah, that didn't happen.

From the Patriots perspective, this "scandal" will be papered over. At worst, they may still receive some penalty. The only people who give two fucks about the story anymore are our pathetic fucking lot and the media who caters to us.

Kraft may care too but he is currently busy screwing models after picking them up by flashing his new Lombardi.

In other words, don't hold your breath for the Wells investigation to exonerate the Patriots. It ain't happening.

 
Oh it is definitely happening all right. If you think for one second that Kraft allows this total bullshit to stand as "yes, the Patriots cheated" or even "well they might have cheated but we can't prove it", you are flat out wrong. Kraft dropped the gauntlet when he got off the plane in Arizona. His "proof of wrongdoing or an apology" speech was not weasel worded in any way shape or form. He does not walk that back. Especially in light of this latest leak in which an innocent Patriots employee had his name and picture put out there for all to see as the perpetrator of a new kicking ball scandal, even though Kensil's Leakers KNEW it was actually caused by a charity-thieving NFL employee.
 
No, we are well beyond an apology now. It's Kensil's head or else. And a billionaire has a lot of options when  it comes to "or else".

 

[Norm loves Vera]

I saw this on my twitter and thought.. ok.. Doyel may be back peddling:
 
Gregg Doyel ‏@GreggDoyelStar 12m12 minutes ago
No winners in DeflateGate. Just a long list of losers, including me. Column - http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/02/20/doyel-everybody-lost-deflategate-including-colts/23757003/ …
 
But nope:
 
"If I assumed the Patriots cheated, well, Bill Belichick's behavior during the Spygate scandal gave me license to make that assumption. And if the Wells Report concludes that cold temperatures deflated those footballs, well, my assumption will stand. Because that's ludicrous."
 
So he will lose because science proves balls can loswer PSI... and BB was a jerk during SpyGate?  What an ASS.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Greg Toll doll has outdone himself. This one is truly special, particularly the conclusion that he will still claim the Patriots cheated even if the Wells Report definitely establishes otherwise:

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/02/20/doyel-everybody-lost-deflategate-including-colts/23757003/

Edit - Already posted.

 

[E5 Yaz]

I saw this on my twitter and thought.. ok.. Doyel may be back peddling:
 
Gregg Doyel ‏@GreggDoyelStar 12m12 minutes ago
No winners in DeflateGate. Just a long list of losers, including me. Column - http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/02/20/doyel-everybody-lost-deflategate-including-colts/23757003/ …
 
But nope:
 
"If I assumed the Patriots cheated, well, Bill Belichick's behavior during the Spygate scandal gave me license to make that assumption. And if the Wells Report concludes that cold temperatures deflated those footballs, well, my assumption will stand. Because that's ludicrous."
 
So he will lose because science proves balls can loswer PSI... and BB was a jerk during SpyGate?  What an ASS.

 
Actually, he wins because a) he got you to click on the story, b) read it and c) let it agitate you

 

[snowmanny]

It's always problematic when you're debating people who are willfully stupid.

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Actually, he wins because a) he got you to click on the story, b) read it and c) let it agitate you

I'm not sure being a pro troll really makes him, or the IndyStar winners, even if they get the clicks during this scandal.

 

[Stitch01]

The Patriots lost
They're the biggest losers in this, because perception is reality — and the perception is, the Patriots did it again
 

This is the crux it for for the subset of clowns like Doyle and Borges.  They reaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllly want to be able to say the Patriots lost.
 
Obviously, the Patriots didnt lose.  They won the Super Bowl.  That's not changing by whatever happens in deflate gate.

 

[Norm loves Vera]

 
Actually, he wins because a) he got you to click on the story, b) read it and c) let it agitate you

true dat E5.. suckered in once again seeking redemption. 

 

[jacklamabe65]

"Glad the Sox are back, but I don't think I'll ever want to stop talking about the Patriots' Super Bowl win or the comeuppance coming the NFL's way for the mishandling -- to put it gently -- of Deflategate. Goodell is a such a clueless dope that you almost couldn't invent him. It's like he and Peter King are characters from a parody of modern-day public relations and inept media." - Chad Finn during his online Chat today
 

 

[ifmanis5]

 
Oh it is definitely happening all right. If you think for one second that Kraft allows this total bullshit to stand as "yes, the Patriots cheated" or even "well they might have cheated but we can't prove it", you are flat out wrong. Kraft dropped the gauntlet when he got off the plane in Arizona. His "proof of wrongdoing or an apology" speech was not weasel worded in any way shape or form. He does not walk that back. Especially in light of this latest leak in which an innocent Patriots employee had his name and picture put out there for all to see as the perpetrator of a new kicking ball scandal, even though Kensil's Leakers KNEW it was actually caused by a charity-thieving NFL employee.
 
No, we are well beyond an apology now. It's Kensil's head or else. And a billionaire has a lot of options when  it comes to "or else".

I agree with this. Kraft isn't going to let this go. Roger will try to appease him with Kensil's scalp and also try to look like a hero in the process.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

It's always problematic when you're debating people who are willfully stupid.

 
Gregg "Gaping Head Wound" Doyel.

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Gregg "Gaping Head Wound" Doyel.

What? You don't enjoy his five O' Clock soul patch?

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I got helped at the North Face outlet today by a young guy sporting a full Rollie Fingers 'stache, hipster glasses, flannel shirt, and Ugg boots. I've had it just about up to here with pretentious douchebags for now.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Doyell reminds me of Daughtry meets failed Abercrombie model, with a twist of spits dip all day in his office cubicle.

 

[riboflav]

It certainly doesn't seem like Kraft will let this go. This is right after winning his fourth Super Bowl.
 
http://thebiglead.com/2015/02/02/robert-kraft-on-ballghazi-i-was-really-irritated-to-see-how-stuff-got-leaked-out-there/
 
He comes across pretty pissed off.

 

[DJnVa]

The thought that the NFL wouldn't absolutely bury Kensil if that's the best way out of this is confusing to me. I have zero doubt the NFL would make him the patsy if there's no smoking gun on NE.

As Pedro would say "Who is Mike Kensil?"

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

 
Oh it is definitely happening all right. If you think for one second that Kraft allows this total bullshit to stand as "yes, the Patriots cheated" or even "well they might have cheated but we can't prove it", you are flat out wrong. Kraft dropped the gauntlet when he got off the plane in Arizona. His "proof of wrongdoing or an apology" speech was not weasel worded in any way shape or form. He does not walk that back. Especially in light of this latest leak in which an innocent Patriots employee had his name and picture put out there for all to see as the perpetrator of a new kicking ball scandal, even though Kensil's Leakers KNEW it was actually caused by a charity-thieving NFL employee.
 
No, we are well beyond an apology now. It's Kensil's head or else. And a billionaire has a lot of options when  it comes to "or else".

 
Well we can agree to disagree.  
 
At the end of the day Kraft is part a of a large, multi-billion dollar business.  While he may (or may not) want to have Kensil's head, businesses with multiple, large stakeholders don't typically allow a unilateral firing of an employee.  
 
The fact is, we don't even know if Kraft blames Kensil or Goodell or some other actors.  We also don't know what sort of true power Kraft wields and how many other owners support him.  And finally, we don't know what else is going on behind the scenes.   It may well be that it is in the NFL's best interest to make this go away or lightly punish the Patriots and that Kraft accepts is as part of a much larger or different negotiation that has zero to do with footballs or how the public perceives the Patriots.  
 
But if you think that RoboKraft is going to go all batshit on the NFL and start slaying people because the league doesn't truly enforce a chain of custody rule for its game-balls and it allowed the Pats to be embarrassed, you are fooling yourself.  He got another trophy and he gets the last laugh. 
 
This story simply isn't that big of a deal beyond these parts and it will be really surprising if it results in the loss of any jobs beyond the guy who was stealing charity balls to sell on eBay.    

 

[Boggs26]

 
 
edit: It also depends on how much the league cares about leaks from within NFLHQ. I don't think they really care much because Roger doesn't want to talk to the media himself and have to speak directly about anything.

Now just a minute! This is a press conference! The last thing I want to do is answer a lot of questions!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638435/quotes?item=qt0381280

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I think Kraft will intervene to the extent necessary, but only to the extent necessary, to protect his largest asset.  I think when he took the unusual step of making the statement he made, that's what it was all about.  Kraft understands that a rising tide floats all boats, and so he's not going to rock his boat while that's happening with the NFL, but I do think he will be protective of his franchise if he thinks things are getting out of control.  I think he'll be pragmatic and can't see him being vendetta driven or worried about the details of who gets fired or doesn't, but will keep his eye on the prize which I think he views as protecting his and the brand's reputation.

 

[Kull]

 
Well we can agree to disagree.  
 
At the end of the day Kraft is part a of a large, multi-billion dollar business.  While he may (or may not) want to have Kensil's head, businesses with multiple, large stakeholders don't typically allow a unilateral firing of an employee.  
 
The fact is, we don't even know if Kraft blames Kensil or Goodell or some other actors.  We also don't know what sort of true power Kraft wields and how many other owners support him.  And finally, we don't know what else is going on behind the scenes.   It may well be that it is in the NFL's best interest to make this go away or lightly punish the Patriots and that Kraft accepts is as part of a much larger or different negotiation that has zero to do with footballs or how the public perceives the Patriots.  
 
But if you think that RoboKraft is going to go all batshit on the NFL and start slaying people because the league doesn't truly enforce a chain of custody rule for its game-balls and it allowed the Pats to be embarrassed, you are fooling yourself.  He got another trophy and he gets the last laugh. 
 
This story simply isn't that big of a deal beyond these parts and it will be really surprising if it results in the loss of any jobs beyond the guy who was stealing charity balls to sell on eBay.    

 
You are correct that there are many things we don't know. But one that we do is this. Somebody in the league office has been leaking information designed to embarrass Robert Kraft's franchise, and that includes leaking flat out lies about the kicking ball scandal. Whatver else Kraft may think or believe, without heads on pikes that will continue literally forever. No way in hell he lets that happen.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

No, we are well beyond an apology now. It's Kensil's head or else. And a billionaire has a lot of options when  it comes to "or else".

 
Quick, someone photoshop Kraft's head onto a picture of Blofeld.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

The thought that the NFL wouldn't absolutely bury Kensil if that's the best way out of this is confusing to me. I have zero doubt the NFL would make him the patsy if there's no smoking gun on NE.

As Pedro would say "Who is Mike Kensil?"

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP-lrftLQaQ#t=119

 

[nighthob]

Well we can agree to disagree.  
 
At the end of the day Kraft is part a of a large, multi-billion dollar business.  While he may (or may not) want to have Kensil's head, businesses with multiple, large stakeholders don't typically allow a unilateral firing of an employee.  
 
The fact is, we don't even know if Kraft blames Kensil or Goodell or some other actors.  We also don't know what sort of true power Kraft wields and how many other owners support him.  And finally, we don't know what else is going on behind the scenes.   It may well be that it is in the NFL's best interest to make this go away or lightly punish the Patriots and that Kraft accepts is as part of a much larger or different negotiation that has zero to do with footballs or how the public perceives the Patriots.  
 
But if you think that RoboKraft is going to go all batshit on the NFL and start slaying people because the league doesn't truly enforce a chain of custody rule for its game-balls and it allowed the Pats to be embarrassed, you are fooling yourself.  He got another trophy and he gets the last laugh. 
 
This story simply isn't that big of a deal beyond these parts and it will be really surprising if it results in the loss of any jobs beyond the guy who was stealing charity balls to sell on eBay.

Ultimately someone at the league office was doing economic damage to one of the league's flagship franchises. If the investigation turns up no wrongdoing, which given what we know is the most likely conclusion, then the league office is going to need a patsy. Because that employee not only embarrassed a flagship franchise, he made a mockery of the league office. If the cost of cleaning up the mess is the firing of an inept boob like Kensil, then he's gone. We already know how Goodell feels about the people that work for him.

 

[Leather]

One of my Facebook connections (friend of a friend) posted that Tosh clip and labeled it "Truth".
That was annoying.

Good news is that absolutely nobody "liked" it.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

What Tosh clip?  Someone, I think SSF, made reference to Tosh a few pages ago but nobody posted anything.  What the hell did he say?

 

[nattysez]

This story simply isn't that big of a deal beyond these parts and it will be really surprising if it results in the loss of any jobs beyond the guy who was stealing charity balls to sell on eBay.    

 
It was the lead story on ESPN two days ago.  There's been one article about it nearly every day on ProFootballTalk, which is owned by NBC, an NFL rights-holder.  The entire two-week run-up to the Super Bowl was dominated by the issue.  I agree with you that Kraft is not going to be able to get Kensil fired unilaterally, but the idea that this isn't a big story is demonstrably untrue.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Ultimately someone at the league office was doing economic damage to one of the league's flagship franchises. If the investigation turns up no wrongdoing, which given what we know is the most likely conclusion, then the league office is going to need a patsy. Because that employee not only embarrassed a flagship franchise, he made a mockery of the league office. If the cost of cleaning up the mess is the firing of an inept boob like Kensil, then he's gone. We already know how Goodell feels about the people that work for him.

 
What economic damage was done?   This is the first I have heard of any economic damage to the Patriots or the league.  #deflategate or #ballghazi plus two teams with some compelling story lines resulted in this:
 

 
 
The final results for Super Bowl XLIX are in and they’re probably doing a victory dance over at NBC to rival the one the New England Patriotsdid last night. The bone crunching down to the last minute clash between the winning Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks drew a historic 114.5 million viewers. Topping the 112.2 million audience of last year’s 43-8 blowout game on Fox here the Seahawks smashed the Denver Broncos, last night’s Super Bowl is now the most watched show in U.S. TV history. Viewership of the game surged to 120.8 million from 9:45 – 10 PM ET in the dramatic fourth quarter.

 
Once again, the league weathered a suicide, a concussion scandal, a murder committed by a high profile player, an ugly locker-room bullying case, multiple cases of domestic abuse including a graphic viral video and a host of other distasteful acts by its players and its as popular as ever.  The Cheatriots may well be more loathed than ever but I find it hard pressed to see how they are hurt from anything coming out of the league office or elsewhere.  
 
That said, I am willing to change my mind if you can present evidence to the contrary.  How have the Patriots been harmed here beyond a few hurt feelings?

 

[Leather]

What Tosh clip?  Someone, I think SSF, made reference to Tosh a few pages ago but nobody posted anything.  What the hell did he say?

I skimmed it. Talks about Aaron Hernandez, Tom Brady being not very good and a pretty boy, that the Pats only make the playoffs because the AFC East are tomato cans, and calls New Englanders drunk racists.

This was, again, labeled as "truth" by this guy. So I unfollowed him.

 

[djbayko]

 
What economic damage was done?   This is the first I have heard of any economic damage to the Patriots or the league.  #deflategate or #ballghazi plus two teams with some compelling story lines resulted in this:
 
 
Once again, the league weathered a suicide, a concussion scandal, a murder committed by a high profile player, an ugly locker-room bullying case, multiple cases of domestic abuse including a graphic viral video and a host of other distasteful acts by its players and its as popular as ever.  The Cheatriots may well be more loathed than ever but I find it hard pressed to see how they are hurt from anything coming out of the league office or elsewhere.  
 
That said, I am willing to change my mind if you can present evidence to the contrary.  How have the Patriots been harmed here beyond a few hurt feelings?

Just because an entity is doing well economically, doesn't mean that there hasn't been economic damage. Without recent accusations, perhaps some agnostic football fans become fans of the Patriots because of Butler's hero play and Brady's dreamy eyes. Has there been economic damage? I would say undoubtably, yes. How much is it, and is it significant? I don't know. But it's worse than if untruths WEREN'T being leaked by someone with inside knowledge.

 

[Monbo Jumbo]

Kensil is becoming the story. From the Patriots' perspective, this is the best possible development.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Kensil is becoming the story. From the Patriots' perspective, this is the best possible development.

 
While I agree with you long-term Monbo, outside of Florio and some members of the Boston media Kensil has yet to catch on as being the story. 

 

[DJnVa]

 
Well we can agree to disagree.  
 
At the end of the day Kraft is part a of a large, multi-billion dollar business.  While he may (or may not) want to have Kensil's head, businesses with multiple, large stakeholders don't typically allow a unilateral firing of an employee.  

 
Comparing Kraft or Kensil--which one is more important to that multi-billion $ business. Kensil is a "little guy" in this. The little guy always gets got.

 

[theapportioner]

Just because an entity is doing well economically, doesn't mean that there hasn't been economic damage. Without recent accusations, perhaps some agnostic football fans become fans of the Patriots because of Butler's hero play and Brady's dreamy eyes. Has there been economic damage? I would say undoubtably, yes. How much is it, and is it significant? I don't know. But it's worse than if untruths WEREN'T being leaked by someone with inside knowledge.

Maybe, but football seems like the kind of thing where overall demand is pretty inelastic. Short of the NFL signing a revenue sharing agreement with ISIS, they should be able to weather any scandal without major financial repercussions.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Maybe, but football seems like the kind of thing where overall demand is pretty inelastic. Short of the NFL signing a revenue sharing agreement with ISIS, they should be able to weather any scandal without major financial repercussions.

 
Well, they could replace Goodell with Obama. 

 

[Monbo Jumbo]

 
While I agree with you long-term Monbo, outside of Florio and some members of the Boston media Kensil has yet to catch on as being the story. 

I defer to your media expertise.