Brady's appeals petition denied; remains suspended

By Austin Knoblauch NFL.com
Published: July 13, 2016 at 09:47 a.m. Updated: July 13, 2016 at 09:54 a.m

The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied petition by Brady and the NFL Players Association on Wednesday to rehear his suspension case, meaning the New England Patriots quarterback's last opportunity to dissolve the NFL-issued punishment would have to come in a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. It remains to be seen if Brady's legal team will appeal to country's highest court and, more importantly, if the court will hear the case.

If Brady petitions the Supreme Court, his legal team could first ask the Second Circuit court for a stay of it's decision. If the Second Circuit doesn't grant a stay, Brady's lawyers could then request for a stay from the Supreme Court, which would be decided by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. If Ginsberg granted a stay or the court decided to hear the case, Brady almost certainly would be eligible to play the entire 2016 season due the Supreme Court's schedule. Brady would be forced to serve his suspension if the Supreme Court chose not to hear the appeal.

Gabe Feldman, director of the Tulane Sports Law Program, said the chances of the Supreme Court deciding to hear the case would be very slim.

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