Dolphins lose first-round pick, Stephen Ross fined $1.5M, for Tom Brady tampering

The Dolphins were docked a first-round pick in 2023 and a third-rounder in 2024 and owner Stephen Ross was suspended through mid-October and fined $1.5 million for damage to the integrity of the game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday.

The penalties largely surround the Dolphins’ flirtation with quarterback Tom Brady — not only before the 2021 season when Brady was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but extending all the way back to the 2019-20 season when he was with the New England Patriots.

The penalties also are for improper contact with Sean Payton while he was still under contract to coach the New Orleans Saints before opting to retire. Together, they represent violations that Goodell described as unprecedented in the NFL.

The investigation was less conclusive on a separate matter of whether Ross tried to bribe then-coach Brian Flores to lose games in 2019 to improve the team's draft position. The league believes even if such a sentiment was uttered, it likely was in jest.

Ross, a part-time Palm Beach resident, also is the billionaire owner of New York-based Related Cos., a global real estate development company that turned West Palm Beach into a dominant destination for financial firms and residents.

Ross disagrees with findings but accepts punishment

In a tweet posted on the Dolphins' Twitter account, Ross responded by saying he strongly disagreed with the findings but still accepted them to avoid distracting from the upcoming season.

"The independent investigation cleared our organization on any issues related to tanking and all of Brian Flores other allegations," Ross said in his statement. "As I had said all along, these allegations were false, malicious and defamatory, and this issue is now put to rest. With regards to tampering, I strongly disagree with the conclusions and the punishment. However, I will accept the outcome because the most important thing is that there be no distractions for our team as we begin an exciting and winning season. I will not allow anything to get in the way of that."

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Goodell ruled that the violations were “of unprecedented scope and severity.”

Goodell added, "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. Similarly, I know of no prior instance in which ownership was so directly involved in the violations."

In addition, Bruce Beal, a limited partner of the Dolphins and the man scheduled to succeed Ross as owner, cannot attend league meetings and was fined $500,000. The NFL traced Beal's communications with Brady to August 2019, continuing through that season and postseason.

"These numerous and detailed discussions were conducted by Mr. Beal, who in turn kept Mr. Ross and other Dolphins executives informed of his discussions with Mr. Brady," the league said.

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The Dolphins' courtship with Brady continued after he joined the Buccaneers. The NFL said the Dolphins discussed with Brady the possibility of becoming a limited partner and perhaps a football executive, although they included possibly playing for the Dolphins. Ross and Beal participated in those discussions.

The NFL’s six-month investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, cleared the Dolphins of tanking to improve draft position in 2019.

NFL: Ross prioritized draft position in 2019

The NFL said that Ross did express a belief “on a number of occasions” in 2019 that the draft position should take priority over winning. The comments were made to President/CEO Tom Garfinkel, general manager Chris Grier, Senior Vice President Brandon Shore and Flores.

The NFL said after Flores expressed concerns about such an attitude in writing, Ross stopped making those comments to him.

The NFL report is a rare reprimand for Ross, the most powerful real estate developer in West Palm Beach. Nationally, The Related Cos. is known for its signature New York project, Hudson Yards, a complex of offices and residents built along the city's west side.

In 2000, Ross kicked off West Palm Beach's renaissance when he built The Square, formerly known as CityPlace. Subsequently, he built or bought numerous office complexes, making him downtown's No. 1 landlord.

Ross' ability to lure New York-based firms to his West Palm Beach offices during the coronavirus pandemic cemented his influence on the city's business fortunes

Ross, 82, continues to plan projects in West Palm Beach.

‘Differing recollections' of the alleged bribe to tank in 2019

Regarding Flores’ claim that Ross offered a $100,000 bribe for each loss that season, the NFL said there are “differing recollections” of any such incident.

“However phrased, such a comment was not intended or taken to be a serious offer,” the NFL ruled.

In a statement, Flores wrote, "I am thankful that the NFL's investigator found my factual allegations against Stephen Ross are true. At the same time, I am disappointed to learn that the investigator minimized Mr. Ross' offers and pressure to tank games."

Flores went on to criticize the NFL for being too lenient toward Ross, who fired him immediately following the 2021 season.

"While the NFL found that the Dolphins had engaged in impermissible tampering of 'unprecedented scope and severity,' Mr. Ross will avoid any meaningful consequence," Flores wrote. "There is nothing more important when it comes to the game of football itself than the integrity of the game."

The Dolphins were scheduled to have two picks in the first round next year, their own and one from a trade with San Francisco. They are forfeiting their own selection, the league confirmed.

Although the Dolphins still have one first-round pick, they were counting on the two picks giving them leverage should they decide to trade up or, at the very least, add two quality prospects.

Ross' suspension extends through Oct. 17, while the Dolphins play six games. Coincidentally, he will be off suspension for the Oct. 23 visit by the Pittsburgh Steelers — for whom Flores now serves as a senior defensive assistant coach.

Flores' lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement, "The punishment announced today is obviously inadequate and disheartening. Unfortunately, it remains clear that the NFL cannot police itself, which is why we look forward to continuing to push the legal process, prove all of Brian’s claims, as well as those of a class of Black executives, coaches and candidates, and force real change upon the NFL."

Palm Beach Post staff writer Alexandra Clough contributed to this story.

Hal Habib covers the Dolphins for The Post. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins lose first-round pick, Stephen Ross fined for Tom Brady tampering