An NFL team owner has claimed that the relationship between New England Patriots' Robert Kraft and league commissioner Roger Goodell is "pretty much dead" due to the deflategate scandal.
The NFL handed out severe sanctions to the AFC East outfit as they banned quarterback Tom Brady for four matches and docked the club their first-round pick in the 2016 Draft and their fourth-round selection in 2017, as well as a $1m (£631,000) fine.
However, the Patriots have hit back at the league as they have insisted that they will appeal the punishments in the near future, which has hinted that the excellent relationship between Kraft and Goodell is at an end.
The unnamed owner has admitted that they were pleased to see the NFL take action, but is concerned about the backlash that could come from Kraft and the Patriots.
The owner told Bleacher Report: "The main thing [NFL executive vice-president Troy Vincent] said is true. We need to make sure everyone is following the rules. All of us. I think Roger made the right decision and my guess is the rest of the owners agree.
"Some of us [owners] are waiting a little nervously to see what Robert does next. It's positive that we sent a message that cheating will not be tolerated.
"I do think teams are looking around and saying, 'What does this all mean?' Teams are figuring it all out. But I think the bottom line is, don't cheat, and you don't have to worry about getting punished."
The Patriots were also punished back in 2007 when they were given a total fine of $750,000 (£478,000) and docked their first-round pick in the 2008 Draft for the spygate scandal.
