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View Full Version : HERE COMES THE BOMBSHELL: matt walsh free to speak



red
04-23-2008, 12:02 PM
from pft


WALSH DEAL IS IN PLACE
Posted by Mike Florio on April 23, 2008, 12:43 p.m.

The NFL has issued a statement regarding the status of negotiations with former Patriots employee Matt Walsh.

Basically, the negotiations are over, because a deal has been reached.

An agreement has been completed between the NFL and Matt Walsh that will allow Mr. Walsh, a former videotape operator with the New England Patriots, to share with the NFL information about activities occurring during his employment with the club from 1997-2003,” the statement reads.

Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with Walsh in the league office on May 13.

The interview with Mr. Walsh will seek to determine whether he has any new information about that videotaping practice or other possible violations of league rules,” the NFL said. Under the agreement, Walsh must return any tapes or other items in his possession that belong to the team. The league and the Patriots have promised not to sue him. And the league and the Patriots “will indemnify him for any expenses, including legal fees that he incurs in connection with the interview.”

It’s unclear how far this commitment to indemnify Walsh goes; if he’s sued by, for example, Bill Belichick as a result of what Walsh tells Goodell, will the NFL and the Patriots cover Walsh financially?

After the May 13 meeting, there will be a news media briefing, which will be attended by Goodell.

The open question in all of this is whether Walsh will also have the ability to speak to the media or to Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). If the deal contemplates that Walsh will only speak to the league, then there are two potential explanations. First, Walsh is confident that he has enough information to prompt Goodell to take swift and stern action against the Patriots. Second, Walsh really doesn’t have anything and prefers not to be exposed as not having anything to a national television audience.

shefler just said that walshes ass is covered

red
04-23-2008, 12:03 PM
from nfl.com


Commissioner to meet with Walsh on May 13

National Football League

The NFL released the following statement this morning:

An agreement has been completed between the NFL and Matt Walsh that will allow Mr. Walsh, a former videotape operator with the New England Patriots, to share with the NFL information about activities occurring during his employment with the club from 1997-2003.

Commissioner Goodell will meet with Mr. Walsh in the commissioner’s office on Tuesday, May 13, the earliest date that Mr. Walsh, who lives in Hawaii, will be available on the east coast.

The agreement also requires Mr. Walsh to return any tapes and other items in his possession that belong to the Patriots. In return, the NFL and the Patriots have promised not to sue Mr. Walsh. They also will indemnify him for any expenses, including legal fees that he incurs in connection with the interview.

Commissioner Goodell determined last September that the Patriots had violated league rules by videotaping opposing coaches' defensive signals during Patriots games throughout Bill Belichick’s tenure as head coach. Coach Belichick admitted to his use of the taping practice on a regular basis as a result of what he said was his misinterpretation of the rule. Commissioner Goodell imposed substantial discipline on Coach Belichick and the club as a result of that practice. The interview with Mr. Walsh will seek to determine whether he has any new information about that videotaping practice or other possible violations of league rules.

Following the meeting with Mr. Walsh on May 13, there will be a news media briefing later that day in New York that will be attended by Commissioner Goodell (specific time and location to be provided at a later date).

Tarlam!
04-23-2008, 12:10 PM
:drma: This might be fun.

packinpatland
04-23-2008, 12:11 PM
I'm thinking if there was nothing to tell, Walsh wouldn't be willing to talk. If there's nothing to hear, Goodell wouldn't be willing to listen.

Bossman641
04-23-2008, 12:15 PM
I'd be more excited about this if Goodell was actually competent. Seeing how he handled the situation before, I don't have much faith in him. What is he gonna do? Meet with Walsh, tape the conversation, and then destroy it as soon as he leaves the room, claiming that Walsh didn't have anything of substance to say?

packinpatland
04-23-2008, 01:15 PM
[quote="Bossman641"]I'd be more excited about this if Goodell was actually competent. Seeing how he handled the situation before, I don't have much faith in him. What is he gonna do? Meet with Walsh, tape the conversation, and then destroy it as soon as he leaves the room, claiming that Walsh didn't have anything of substance to say?[/quote

Perhaps the meeting will be 'chaperoned'?