the NFL was totally raked over the coals by the federal judge:
Bob McGovern @BobMcGovernJr
As a legal observer:
Today was more of a blowout than the AFC Title. Kessler (Brady lawyer) all but dropped the mic at the end.
Ben Volin @BenVolin
UPDATE: Hearing over after 2:15. No settlement. Judge Berman was very, very critical of NFL. Brady/NFLPA are making a good case
Daniel Wallach@WALLACHLEGAL
Judge Berman: "I have a little trouble with [Goodell deciding on four games]," via @tomecurran (at court)
Ben Volin @BenVolin 5s6 seconds ago
Not only did Berman grill the NFL, but he made observations on his own that boosted the credibility of NFLPA argument. Not good for NFL
daniel kaplan @dkaplanSBJ
Judge Berman called it a quantum leap going from brady being generally aware in wells report to goodell decision there was a scheme
Dan Wetzel @DanWetzel 2m2 minutes ago
Tweets don't do it justice but at one point Judge Berman asked Kessler to read positive Brady testimony into the record. Just one example.
Bob McGovern @BobMcGovernJr 3m3 minutes ago
The NFL argued that you could infer that Wells was referring to the AFC Title, but Judge Berman wasn't convinced.
Max Stendahl @MaxLaw360 4m4 minutes ago
Berman on Goodell's steroid comparison: "His explanation about steroid use in my mind only raised more questions than it answered."
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 4m4 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "There is a bit of a quantum leap from the finding of Mr. Wells to the finding of Mr. Goodell." (from general awareness to scheme)
Lindsey AdlerVerified account@Lahlahlindsey
Sick burn from Brady's attorney today
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 9m9 minutes agoManhattan, NY
#Deflategate hearing is over. Berman now talking to lawyers for both sides. Goodell, Brady et al due back in court Aug 31 at 11 a.m.
Max Stendahl @MaxLaw360 5m5 minutes ago
Judge Berman also questioned Goodell's statement that closest parallel to Brady suspension was steroid use and use of masking agent.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 8m8 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman hit the NFL hard yet again, and again had problems with language of Wells Report and appeal process
Max Stendahl @MaxLaw360 8m8 minutes ago
Judge Berman: "Why didn't he say that? He's a pretty smart guy, Mr. Wells." (tying "general awareness" to AFC Championship Game)
Ben Volin @BenVolin 8m8 minutes ago
Judge Berman was very critical of Goodell’s conparison of ball deflation to steroids, and that Wells Report has no Brady link to Jan. 18
Max Stendahl @MaxLaw360 10m10 minutes ago
Judge Berman questioned why the key sentence in Wells report ("general awareness") did not specify that finding related to Colts Game.
Matt Taibbi @mtaibbi 12m12 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Most interesting moment to me was
Berman saying Goodell may have violated rules by disallowing testimony of Pash at Brady's arb appeal.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 12s12 seconds agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "I don't understand the thinking to not allow Mr. Pash as a witness. Who else but Pash had the opportunity to edit the Wells Report?
Matt Taibbi @mtaibbi 9m9 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Also very noticeable: Judge Berman actually helped Kessler make a point by pointing out how useful Pash would have been as a witness.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 2m2 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman also wanted to know how Goodell settled on four game suspension.
[Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 2m2 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "Which of the four games were for ball tampering and which were for non cooperation?"
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 1m1 minute agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "The next time someone tampers with a ball but cooperates, what suspension would he get?"
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB
Nash: "Brady was not just generally aware. He was involved." Berman: "Why doesn't it (Wells Report) say that?"
Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw
Judge Berman may be pushing a settlement, but by signaling doubts about NFL's legal arguments, he emboldens Tom Brady to wait for decision.
Bob McGovern @BobMcGovernJr
Near the end, Kessler had his co-counsel drop off to Berman a list of 18 extra cases that bolster their argument.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 3m3 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "I don't understand the thinking to not allow Mr. Pash as a witness. Who else but Pash had the opportunity to edit the Wells Report?
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 2m2 minutes agoManhattan, NY
Berman: The NFL "cannot just conclude they cannot have a witness bc testimony would be cumulative."
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 1m1 minute agoManhattan, NY
Berman: "I believe some arbitration awards have been vacated" because a witness was not allowed to be called without explanation.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 47s48 seconds agoManhattan, NY
I thought that was Berman's most striking line. Seemed he'd been thinking about it.
Stephen Brown @PPVSRB 33s33 seconds agoManhattan, NY
My impression: Berman tipped his hand a bit to NFL in an effort to make the sides settle.