NFL punishment could be swift and severe for Robert Kraft

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Now that Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a spa which has been linked to sex trafficking in Florida, you may well wonder what kind of punishment the NFL can inflict on Kraft if the charges are true.

Per the league's Personal Conduct Policy, which team owners are also subject to, "ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline when violations of the Personal Conduct Policy occur."

These charges would appear to fall under that standard. In 2014, Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 by the NFL after a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated. Irsay admitted that he was under the influence of oxycodone and hydrocodone while driving.

The primary reason for a Personal Conduct Policy is to protect the brand of an organization against the kinds of black eyes that criminal behavior can bring. And in Kraft's case, whether he was aware of the spa's involvement in human trafficking, that aspect of the case has already been indelibly tied to whatever Kraft's involvement may have been. One can assume that if the preponderance of the evidence proves that Kraft was involved, he and his representatives will vehemently deny that he was aware that he visited a place that was a front for such nefarious behavior.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-punishment-could-be-swift-and-severe-for-robert-kraft/ar-BBTXnej?li=BBnb7Kz

[TeamPooka]

1. Kraft and Irsay types wipe their ass with $500,000

[Wounded Bear]

2. I don't recall the NFL ever punishing an owner...

except maybe for Al Davis.

I don't expect them to do much to King Kraft.

[Brother Buzz]

14. Um, how about Eddie DeBartolo?

DeBartolo was Fined and Suspended by the NFL.

DeBartolo was involved in the 1998 corruption case of former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards. DeBartolo pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report a felony, and received a $1,000,000 fine and 2 years of probation in return for his testimony against Edwards. Edwards was on trial for extortion and other charges, among which were the $400,000 he demanded from DeBartolo to gain a river boat casino license. DeBartolo never received the license, was fined by the NFL, and barred from active control of the 49ers for a year.

DeBartolo Will Be Fined and Suspended by the NFL
March 16, 1999|From Staff and Wire Reports


Eddie DeBartolo, exiled owner of the San Francisco 49ers, will pay the NFL a $1-million fine for his part in a Louisiana gambling scandal and will formally be suspended for the 1999 season, NFL sources said Monday.

The announcement will be made today by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Tagliabue declined Monday to reveal his decision.

But league sources confirmed a report in the San Francisco Chronicle that the league will fine DeBartolo $1 million for his involvement with indicted former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards.

Last year, DeBartolo pleaded guilty to one felony charge of failing to report an alleged extortion attempt by Edwards in connection with DeBartolo's bid for a riverboat gambling license. The judge imposed $2 million in fines.

DeBartolo and his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, have been at odds for more than a year over control of the team, in part because of Eddie's debts to the family-held corporation.


Tagliabue said in January that DeBartolo would be suspended for the 1999 season. The league sources said he would make that formal today.

Meanwhile, John York told the San Jose Mercury News that DeBartolo York had no plans to sell the team if Eddie DeBartolo did not regain control.

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http://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/16/sports/sp-17896

[CanonRay]

3. I'll be shocked if he gets more than a slap on the wrist

[GemDigger]

5. Maybe by law but the NFL will tear him down. nt

[GP6971]

4. Will Kraft's support of dotard

be a detriment to the NFL in enforcing it's policies? It just may.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. In a sense, yes - but...

The most vocal Trump supporters are Kraft and Jerry Jones. For reasons having nothing to do with that, these two and Roger Goodell are at odds (I won't go into detail, but Google "Deflategate" and "Ezekiel Elliott suspension" ). They are powerful owners, and they'd like Goodell gone; however, the other owners are making money consistently. As long as that is the case, the majority of owners will support whatever he decides.

To me, suspending him is meaningless. I'd prefer that the NFL "suggest" that Mr. Kraft fund some Boston area women's shelters and/or rehab facilities to the tune of $1 - 2M.

[MLAA]

6. Wasn't a California NBA owner forced to sell his team over racist remarks?

[Poiuyt]

8. Marge Schott in baseball

[LoveMyCali]

10. Yes

Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

[MLAA]

13. So we have MLB and MBA setting a precedent....

[dlk]

7. Are Kraft & Jeffrey Epstein Acquainted?

[Poiuyt]

9. Have there been any reports about Robert Kraft and deflated balls?

[Sancho]

11. The NFL has to check the replay before making a call...