March 3 'Deflategate' hearing still on track

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Now that their season is over, the New England Patriots can get back to a topic they like even less than losing to Peyton Manning: Deflategate.

The NFL's appeal in the drawn-out legal battle is scheduled to be heard by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on March 3.

Quarterback Tom Brady was suspended four games and the team lost $1 million and two draft picks after an NFL investigation found the Patriots supplied improperly inflated footballs for last year's AFC championship game.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman vacated the suspension, and the league has appealed. A three-judge panel will hear oral arguments in March. A decision could take weeks or months after that.

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