New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been a big supporter of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  In fact, their relationship was cause for worry that the investigation and subsequent punishment for DeflateGate would be in the Patriots favor but the opposite happened.  Goodell came down hard and swift on the Patriots, fining the team $1 million, a first round draft pick in 2016, a fourth round draft pick in 2017 and star quarterback Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games.  Kraft said the punishment “exceeded any reasonable expectation” and was based completely on circumstantial evidence.  Now Kraft and Goodell’s relationship is reportedly inextricably broken.

One unnamed owner (who has now forfeited the right to complain about leaks in his own building), told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report the relationship between the Commissioner and the Patriots owner was “pretty much dead.”

“The main thing [NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent] said is true,” the owner said. “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.”

That doesn’t mean they’re not a little anxious about how this impacts business between Goodell and a man previously identified as one of his biggest supporters.

“Some of us [owners] are waiting a little nervously to see what Robert does next,” he said. “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.”

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Source: ProFootballTalk