Judge Berman Sets Aug. 31 Meeting For Brady, Goodell
BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady was in West Virginia on Wednesday morning, practicing with the Patriots. And Roger Goodell was, presumably, busy somewhere other than the federal courthouse in New York City.
Nevertheless, attorneys for both Brady's and the NFL's side met with Judge Richard Berman on Wednesday morning, as the clock ticks down on the time to reach a settlement agreement.
However, with the two sides so far apart, Berman determined that neither Brady nor Goodell needed to be present for Wednesday's meeting.
During that meeting, Berman set the next meeting date for Aug. 31, a meeting which will require mandatory attendance for both Brady and Goodell.
That's a date that, football-wise, likely won't disrupt Brady too much, as the Patriots play their third preseason game on Aug. 28, and Brady is unlikely to play at all in the preseason finale on Sept. 3.
Berman continued to push both sides toward reaching a settlement, a message he's consistently delivered since the case landed in his courtroom. Berman said such a settlement would be a "logical and rational option" for both parties.
Earlier on Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Brady was willing to accept "some form of suspension," but only for his lack of full cooperation regarding his cell phone. Brady continues to adamantly refuse to accept the findings of the Wells report.
If the two sides are unable to reach a settlement on their own, Berman said he will try to make his ruling before the requested date of Sept. 4. The Patriots open their regular season on Sept. 10 against the Steelers, a game for which Brady's availability remains in question.
Brady and Goodell were both in attendance for settlement talks on Tuesday, but given how far apart the sides were, the judge re-emphasized that neither party needed to attend Wednesday's session.