Spygate: Second and Long
I did a post on the so-called Spygate scandal in pro football on February 18, asking if this might morph into something like the steroids scandal in pro baseball. An article in the New York Times indicates that it might. It appears that the New England Patriots under the direction of Coach Bill Belichick has been taping defensive signals of opposing teams for seven years, a period during which the Patriots played in four Super Bowls, winning three of them.
Does this mean that Belichick isn’t the coaching genius we thought he was, just like it’s alleged that Barry Bonds didn’t hit a gazillion home runs because of athletic ability? Belichick, the Patriots and the National Football League seemed anxious for Spygate to go away, but the plot has thickened. It’s almost like the Patriots were driving, but after two quick penalties, it’s now second down and long deep in their own territory. They’ve handled that situation pretty well in the past, We’ll see about this time.
And what lessons do we learn for the workplace and employment law from Spygate? Those lessons will thicken as well. Stay tuned.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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