The NFL’s probe into the Miami Dolphins, and in particular owner Stephen Ross, has begun. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the result of the investigation could cost Ross the team. 
This stems from the allegations former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores made against Ross that included, among other things, $100K payments for each loss during the team’s rebuilding 2019 season. The league announced it would open an investigation one day later. If proven to be true, Ross could face a wide range of consequences.
As Rapoport writes, Ross’ discipline “could be severe, up to and including [him] losing the team by a vote of fellow owners”. That option, while extreme, is a possibility, according to commissioner Roger Goodell, who recently stated, “I do believe that clubs do have the authority to remove an owner from the league”. Rapoport adds that a three-fourths majority vote would be required for such an action to take place.
From the outset, Ross has denied any wrongdoing, calling Flores’ allegations “false, malicious and defamatory”. He also stated an intention to cooperate fully with the investigation. Goodell added that the league’s next actions will, of course, not be determined until after the facts of the probe have been established. When that time comes, though, its ramifications could clearly be far-reaching for Ross.
If Ross did it he loses the team as he should
If Flores is lying what does he face? Probably nothing
If Flores is found to be lying, he never gets another crack at a head coaching job–and that’s with an investigating body invested in finding he’s not telling the truth, in this case. If he’s found to be telling the truth, he also likely never gets another crack at a head coaching job.
Worst case for Ross, he has to sell the team at a billion dollar profit and pays a settlement that’s a teeny tiny fraction of that. And it’s highly unlikely he even suffers that much of a consequence.
Make him sell but take the profit give them to charity. That would be punishment
Based upon what precedent or condition of ownership? He didn’t break the law. This would be harder to enforce than proving he made such offers of payment.
If Flores has emails or other hard evidence it’s going to be the nail in the coffin for Ross
He pays a big fine.
3/4 of the owners have to vote him out. Not going to happen.
“All persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League” -per the NFL personal conduct policy
Brian Flores will never coach again regardless if he was lying or not. Nobody is going to hire a lying trouble maker and nobody is going to hire a snitch.
Which is why whistleblowers need legal protection—not that they’ll get it in a business run by a cartel of 32 billionaires.
So, he’s a “lying trouble maker” “regardless if he was lying or not”?
I read that has the two possibilities of what Flores is in the mind of OP
Trouble maker?
This seems leading. The first paragraph infers that Ross could lose the team. Indeed true if the allegations were not only proven but were to warrant his removal. BUT! this investigation is early in its process and could take months if not years. So WHY is this the lead? Because the writer wishes to sway readers into an opinion based on conjecture rather than fact.
The fact is this investigation in its entirety will likely never be made public. Look at the Redskins and Snyder. Thats been going on for several years now! These Snyder allegations are in many eyes more volatile then the Dolphins and criminal rather than civil. So the media and writers should just give out what’s factual not speculation.
Well, this site is called “Rumors” for a reason. The media has a responsibility to lay out what the possibilities are.
I dunno… I’m certainly of the opinion that a LOT of NFL owners (and other super wealthy people) have plenty of skeletons in their collective closets. If it takes a 75% majority of owners to oust another owner, I don’t see it happening, regardless of what the investigation uncovers.
The owners will do their usual circle the wagons routine while the “investigation” is conducted by people with white canes.
Exactly how does a team “tank” without the whole staff and players knowing about it?? Surely more people would come out than just his buddy and assistant coach. Highly suspect. Maybe Ross joked about it..
“Go take a vacation”.
Clubs take every advantage possible to get ahead. Who wouldn’t want Burrow in a Dolphin’s uniform? But to try and lose purposely… Your staff would know..
You don’t need (or want) to send out a memo to the whole staff.
If you wanted your team to tank, you’d probably get the HC alone and tell him alone. As alleged.
Ross missed the memo: Only the league office is allowed to fix games.
Fixing games in a convincing manner requires a subtle and nuanced approach that is beyond the skills of the league office. Most of their attempts are blatantly clumsy (botched coin toss being my favorite) and they still rely on the old chestnut of adding/removing time from the game clock.