NFL Dolphins investigation finds tampering violations, fines owner Stephen Ross
Owner Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Michael Reaves | Getty Images
Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross has been fined $1.5 million and suspended from participating in team events and operations through Oct. 17 for violating NFL tampering policies, the league said Tuesday.
The penalties mark the conclusion of the NFL’s investigation into reports that the Dolphins tampered with coaches and players from other teams and that it intentionally lost games to improve its draft prospects.
The team did not intentionally lose games, according to the investigation, but did hold conversations between 2019 and 2022 with then-Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the agent of then-Saints coach Sean Payton that went against the league’s policies.
“The investigators found tampering violations of unprecedented scope and severity,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “I know of no prior instance of a team violating the prohibition on tampering with both a head coach and star player, to the potential detriment of multiple other clubs, over a period of several years.”
Bruce Beal, the team’s vice chairman, was fined $500,000 and is not allowed to attend league meetings for the remainder of the 2022 season.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
