NFL Hands Out Disciplines to Dolphins after League Investigation

The NFL is handing out multiple punishments to the Miami Dolphins related to the integrity of the game following a league investigation, per Ian Rapoport.

The investigation reportedly found conclusive evidence of the Dolphins violating the Anti-Tampering Policy on three different occasions. These included the team having impermissible communications with quarterback Tom Brady in 2019-20, while he was under contract to the New England Patriots.

During and after the 2021 season, the Dolphins again had impermissible communications with Tom Brady and his agent, while he was under contract to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Finally, in January 2022, the Dolphins had impermissible communications with Don Yee, the agent for the New Orleans Saints' head coach Sean Payton, about having him serve as Miami's head coach.

The investigation also addressed whether the Dolphins intentionally lost games during the 2019 season to improve the club's draft position in the 2020 draft and whether Stephen Ross, the Dolphins' team owner, offered financial incentives or encouraged the head coach to do so. 

Here is the full NFL release on the #Dolphins violations related to the integrity of the game pic.twitter.com/mdmJMBpNAz

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2022

As a result, the NFL has decided to impose the following disciplines on the Miami Dolphins: 

• The Miami Dolphins will forfeit their first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft and third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• The Dolphins' owner, Stephen Ross, is suspended through October 17, 2022. During this period, he is not allowed to be present at any Dolphins' facility and may not represent the club at any team or NFL event. He may not attend any League meetings prior to the Annual Meeting in 2023, and has been removed from all League committees indefinitely, and fined $1.5 million.
• Bruce Beal, the Dolphins' Vice Chairman/Limited Partner, may not attend any League meeting for the remainder of the 2022 season and is fined $500,000. 

 Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports