Shutterstock
The NFL has announced its findings and discipline for the Miami Dolphins after an independent investigation of Integrity of the Game Policy violations.
During its investigation into the Dolphins which stemmed from tampering allegations, the NFL found that the organization had impermissible communications with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton.
As a result, the Dolphins have been stripped of their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2024 draft.
“In January 2022, the Dolphins had impermissible communications with Don Yee, the agent for Saints head coach Sean Payton, about having Mr. Payton serve as Miami’s head coach. Miami did not seek consent from New Orleans to have these discussions,” the league’s findings read.
The talks with Brady reportedly began when he was with the New England Patriots.
NFL ruled that the Dolphins had "impermissible communications with quarterback Tom Brady in 2019-20, while he was under contract to the New England Patriots. Those communications began as early as August 2019 and continued throughout the 2019 season and postseason."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022
NFL also said the Dolphins had "impermissible communications with both Mr. Brady and his agent during and after the 2021 season, while he was under contract to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. … Those discussions focused on Mr. Brady becoming a limited partner in the Dolphins."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022
Team owner Stephen Ross has also been fined $1.5 million and suspended through October 17th, 2022. Dolphins Vice Chairman Bruce Beal has been fined $500,000.
