Judge Grills NFL Lawyer For Direct Evidence Linking Tom Brady To Deflation

Berman: "I think there are strengths and weaknesses to both sides here" while listing many reasons to settle #DeflateGate case.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman continues emphasizing hope for #DeflateGate settlement. "Everyone is of a view that this case can be resolved expeditiously."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Daniel Nash for NFL now going to answer questions from Berman.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash says Wells was retained "just to get the facts." Berman skeptical of Wells' dual role as investigator and attorney hired by NFL.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: Turns out Mr. Brady did better with higher inflated balls than underinflated balls. You might say he got no competitive advantage

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: I’m trying to figure out what is the direct evidence that implicates Mr. Brady in that deflation…in that bathroom…on Jan. 18

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman continues pressing for direct evidence.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: "Is there a text in which Mr. Brady instructs someone to put a needle in a football? No there is not such direct evidence."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: But other evidence "clearly indicates Mr. Brady’s knowledge and encouragement of this activity." Such as texts after game

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: "The phone was destroyed. A factfinder, in this case Mr Goodell, it’s clearly reasonable to infer is further evidence of culpability"

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: I don't know what to make of that finding Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the activities of" Mcnally, Jastremski.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: "Under the legal standard you could not possibily say the conclusion in the commissioner's decision doesn’t have a basis in" CBA.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

BERMAN: "Somebody deflated the balls, but it didn’t help Mr. Brady. Does that matter?"

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: "What matters is the commissioner’s thought on that. His judgement."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: From legal perspective: "You have to show that conspirators intended to be in the conspiracy…Is there a meeting?"

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: "I’m not sure where the 'gate' (in #DeflateGate) comes from. The Wells Report and the award relates only to one game."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Berman: "What is the evidence of a scheme or conspiracy that covers the Jan. 15 game? I’m having trouble finding it."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash: "It starts with that (deflation) happened."

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Now Berman turns to argument by Brady team that NFL rules say he deserves a fine, not a suspension. If it applies to players. #DeflateGate

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash cites Ray Rice suspension as evidence of Goodell's authority to dole out suspensions.

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015

Nash cites Supreme Court rulings. "When disputes like this are resolved, courts must defer to the arbitrator." #DeflateGate

— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 12, 2015