7 NE Patriots fans suing NFL over ‘Deflategate’ punishment
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Seven New England Patriots fans say they are filing a lawsuit against the National Football League over the “Deflategate” punishment.
The fans said they filed a federal lawsuit asking the NFL to allow the Patriots to restore the first-round draft pick that was taken away as part of the punishment. Three of the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit are from Massachusetts, and the others are from Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida.
One of the plaintiffs, David Vaccaro, said the punishment isn’t right.
“We decided let’s just do it, it’s gonna stir the pot,” said Vaccaro. “We deserve the draft pick, we earned it. And as a fan, I’d like to see us get it.”
The attorney representing the plaintiffs wrote:
‘We are facing a modern tyrant who has used his power in a most un-American way- to purposely, arbitrarily and capriciously hurt the New England Patriots for untoward and unfair reasons. Namely to appease jealous owners and fans of the other 31 teams who the patriots have spanked over the past 15 years.’
The lawsuit claims the NFL violated the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act and committed fraud. It accuses the NFL of causing intentional and negligent emotional distress to its fans.
The lawsuit is requesting for a federal judge to suspend and/or delay the NFL’s decision until at least after the draft.