The NFL has grown to become a multi-billion dollar company over the last 92 years since its inception. The birth of the NFL was in an automobile showroom in Ohio. The league only had ten teams at the time and did not have enough financial viability. It is without a doubt that NFL has come a long way to become a household name in the United States.

Since its integration with the rival organization, American Football League (AFL) and the creation of Super Bowl, NFL has become the most watched sports in North America. Television contracts and labor agreements have turned NFL to be the most profitable sports organization.

Lately, though, the NFL has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Endless scandals, legal issues, and shady business are what has been trending in the sport that was widely considered part of the American culture.

The Deflategate scandal with Tom Brady

Scandals and controversies have a negative impact on the image of any major corporation. This is what happened during the Deflategate saga involving Tom Brady and the NFL.

New England’s Patriots won the AFC Championship game in the 2014-15 NFL playoffs. Two weeks later, they went on to win the Super Bowl. However, an NFL investigation found out that some of the balls footballs used by the Patriots in that game were not at the right pressure level.

Reports claimed that Tom Brady was aware of a scheme to take the air out of the ball for better grip. Tom Brady got a four-game suspension while the team was fined $1 million and lost two draft picks.

Tom Brady took NFL to court, won at the District level, and got back to the game. NFL appealed Brady’s case, and the three-judge panel was less sympathetic.

They repeatedly asked why Brady had destroyed his cellphone while the investigation was ongoing. The U.S Second Circuit denied Brady’s petition to rehear his case.

Collusion against Colin Kaepernick

Early last month, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance that the NFL and team owners had colluded not to hire him. He further adds that this move is not because of his athletic performance but largely his decision to kneel during the national anthem as he took a stand against police brutality and racial injustice.

The former San Francisco 49ers’ QB's absence could be felt for the length of this season. As subpar play and injuries to some quarterbacks have led to a reshuffling of rosters, Kaepernick remains out of a uniform. The repeated explanations from coaches and other executives have been that he is not qualified. According to BET, Kaepernick is currently speaking out against rapper Meek Mill's prison sentence.

At his best, he enabled the 49ers’ to reach the NFC championship game during the 2012 Super Bowl season. His lawyer argued that principled and peaceful protests should not be punished by denying athletes employment. If these allegations prove true, NFL could be in some murky waters.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED