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| New 12th Avenue Bakers QB Tom Brady smiles as he leaves the federal courthouse after Tuesday's ruling stripping the Downtown Corsairs of the 2014 NFFA title. |
By Man Ray Natural
The Mainline Dope
NASHVILLE—In a delayed, much-anticipated ruling, federal judge Naomi Morningstar, handed down a bombshell decision to the NFFA and its defending champion, Downtown Corsairs, declaring the 2014 title invalid and ordered the trophy returned to the league office by midnight, Friday, August 21.
In her 214-page decision on a lawsuit brought before her under a closed indictment last December, Morningstar revealed that Corsairs owner Mojo D had withheld league payments beyond deadline for several years, manufactured his own championship trophy, and that the franchise had violated the 160-hour rule in which NFFA owners are barred from scouting, research, and team personnel moves that require a total of more than 160 online hours in a week. All are relatively minor infractions, but when viewed as part of a whole design to "gain an unfair advantage," and to "undermine, obstruct, and otherwise impede league business," the judge said, "I have no alternative but to rule in favor of the plaintiffs."
Those plaintiffs include 12th Avenue Bakers owners QCurl Sharif and Petro "Chocolate King" Poroshenko, and a yet-to-be-named participant.
The ruling, which was released in relatively mundane fashion late Tuesday afternoon, means that the league must declare a new defending champion. Mojo D is expected to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Bakers owner Sharif was planning a dinner to coincide with the Friday midnight deadline in which he and special guests would celebrate the restoration of integrity to the league.
"I think the trophy must be protected and returned to the vault," Sharif had said after filing the suit in December. "It's our last symbol of integrity."
Expected to be in attendance at the midnight dinner is newly acquired quarterback Tom Brady, who has publicly stated his gratitude for being traded to the Bakers, and for reuniting him with close and ailing friend Faith Popcorn.
"This means I can spend more time with her at QCurl's home, and hopefully have an impact on her recovery," Brady said. "This is a bittersweet day. I know how thrilled she was when she left the courthouse after the filing. She's a strong and beautiful woman, and the idea that she is laid up there with that tiny coffin is almost more than I can take."
When questioned about the "tiny coffin" remark, Brady seemed surprised and walked back from his comment.
"I meant to say 'coffin-shaped,'" he said. "It's probably her belongings from the Ukraine and I was so focused on her injuries, I didn't really notice it in detail."
Sharif praised Morningstar's decision and told reporters that her integrity is beyond reproach.
"I've become close with Naomi and have developed a strong opinion about her character," Sharif said. "She doesn't like lying, unless it's centered around role playing, and she doesn't suffer fools, except when we play 'Court Jester.' She's the type of woman who, when dining with Sepp [Blatter] and a few friends, scolded him for not wearing pants to a formal dinner. She's top rack ... I mean shelf."
With the predraft trade deadline looming Wednesday, the legal news is sure to set off a firestorm of reaction and may impact some of the action.
"I think this is a great way to start the new season," Sharif said. "Adrift in a sea of speculation. I hope my dinner will be the first step in restoring some of the values that serve as the foundation of this league."
There has been no official statement from the Corsairs, or the league office, at this time.
