The NFL fined the New England Patriots $ 1.1 million and withdrew a third-round college pick in the 2021 draft, among other penalties, for recording the field and the benches of a television team owned by it last year. December 8, during a duel between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, league sources reported.
In addition, the Patriots’ television production teams will not be allowed to record any games during the 2020 season, and senior franchise managers must receive training on league operation and game policy.
The NFL also barred David Mondillo, who was suspended by team when the NFL investigated the incident, from entering league facilities until further notice. Before NFL disciplinary action, Mondilo was fired by the Patriots.
The team admitted that their production team inappropriately filmed the field and the bands in that game. The team had accreditations from the Browns to record for a series that the Patriots would broadcast on the internet called “Do Your Job,” but the Patriots did not report to the Bengals or the NFL, which they called a “mistake without malicious intent.”
“The sole purpose of recording was to give an illustration of the work that an advanced scout does on a visit,” the Patriots explained at the time. “There was no intention to use the video for any other purpose.”
The Patriots also indicated that the production team, which included independent contractors who shot the video, was not part of the franchise’s sports operation.
A Patriots spokesman confirmed that the team will not contest penalties.
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