The repercussions for the New England Patriots’ admitted taping of the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline is becoming clearer as the days go on. A Patriots employee was seen taping the Bengals sideline last week during a game against the Cleveland Browns just a week before the teams were set to face off against each other.
The Patriots released a statement acknowledging a “failure to inform the Bengals and the league” and admitting the production crew “inappropriately filmed the field from the press box.”
The league is likely to penalize the franchise, which could mean a fine and also the potential loss or reduction of a low-level draft pick.
Here’s a report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora:
“The New England Patriots are facing steep penalties for their admitted illegal taping of the Bengals sideline last week, league sources said, which is likely to include the loss of at least one draft pick and heavy fines. There is the possibility of a suspension for a member of upper management and/or ownership as well, sources said, pending the results of the NFL’s full investigation into the matter.
“The Patriots are repeat offenders for violating the league’s game-day operations regulations in the past — twice being stripped of first-round picks for either illegally doctoring footballs or illegally taping an opponent — which will also factor into the ultimate discipline in this case, the sources said. The NFL takes these matters very seriously and has regularly taken away draft picks and used fines and suspensions for similar infractions, whether it be illegal use of cell phones on game day (Browns) or pumping in fake crowd noise (Falcons).”
The Patriots found themselves getting a $1 million penalty, a strip of their first-and fourth-round picks, and four-game suspension of Tom Brady for Deflategate. It won’t be that bad this time around, but it will be significant.
The league’s investigation is reportedly still in progress.
