NEW YORK — A federal judge on Wednesday urged the National Football League and its players union to continue discussing a possible settlement to resolve their dispute over New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game "Deflategate" suspension.
U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, sitting in Manhattan, said both sides had enough "strengths and weaknesses" to their cases that they should come together to resolve their dispute rather than asking him to rule.
"A settlement is a logical and rational option," Berman said.
The judge said he would meet privately with the lawyers about a settlement later on Wednesday.