5 Biggest punishments given out to NFL franchises for breaking the rules 

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

When NFL franchises break the rules set by the league office, there are consequences for them to pay. In the same way that the NFL has ultimate authority over player punishment when they break league rules, they also have the power to dish out discipline to teams as well.

When teams are punished, they often receive a combination of suspended staff members, forfeited draft picks, and fines, depending on the specific rules that were broken. Here are five of the biggest punishments ever handed out to NFL franchises.

#5 - Washington Commanders hostile workplace

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder

The Washington Commanders were under investigation during the 2021 NFL offseason after many accusers claimed the organization was running a hostile workplace environment. This includes 15 women claiming sexual harassment by former Commanders executives.

The NFL front office conducted a deep investigation, interviewing more than 150 Commanders employees. When they came to their conclusion, the league fined the Commanders a massive $10 million. It was the largest fine in NFL history by a wide margin and was the only one to ever eclipse $2 million.

#4 - New England Patriots - Spygate

New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick

The New England Patriots were investigated for one of the most infamous scandals of all time called Spygate. They were accused of illegally filming on the sidelines of opposing teams in an effort to steal calls and signals from the coaching staff and gain an unfair advantage. They were found guilty of filming the New York Jets from an unauthorized location, breaking league rules.

Dov Kleiman

@NFL_DovKleiman

In the press conference after #DeflateGate started in 2015, Bill Belichick, seemingly annoyed with all the questions at the time, was also asked about the original #SpyGate of 2007.

These were his comments.

"We're never going to do it again, and anything else that's close."

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In the press conference after #DeflateGate started in 2015, Bill Belichick, seemingly annoyed with all the questions at the time, was also asked about the original #SpyGate of 2007.

These were his comments.

"We're never going to do it again, and anything else that's close." https://t.co/FhgpxbD2Xx

Head coach and general manager Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 thousand for his role in the scandal, while the Patriots organization was fined an additional $250,000 and forced to forfeit a first-round draft pick. The NFL decided to destroy the evidence after their ruling rather than making it public information.

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