Tom Brady (Photo : REUTERS)
Jon Mara, co-owner of the New York Giants, has joined the settlement talks between New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell to reach an agreement in the Deflategate case.
The Giants exec was asked by Judge Berman to attend the talks, considering the former's position as head of NFL's executive committee in charge of labor matters and issues, ESPN reported.
Mara will join Goodell and Brady in probably the final meeting before Judge Berman makes a ruling this week whether the Patriots star would get the four-game suspension upheld by NFL earlier this year, or not.
NFL accused the Patriots that they tampered with the footballs used during the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship game in January, where they hosted the Indianapolis Colts. Brady was accused that he took part in the scandal.
While the NFL wants a fair ruling by the judge, the NFL Players Association on the other hand, wants the suspension to be nullified.
In the report, sources told ESPN that while the NFL is 'quite confident' that the judge would rule in their favor, another angle claims that the league may have angered Judge Berman for refusing to settle. As a result, the report stated that both parties could still arrive to a settlement before the ruling.
Meanwhile, Judge Berman said that he expects to make a ruling by Friday, which would give ample time for Brady to prepare for the Patriots' season opener against Pittsburgh next week.
