The NFL also hired a forensic analysis firm to review video and digital evidence related to deflate-gate.
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The National Football League on Friday said that a preliminary investigation found that the New England Patriots user under-inflated footballs during the first half of their AFC Championship victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
"While the evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the game to have remained properly inflated," the league said in a news release, its first on deflate-gate.
The NFL also said the investigation is being led by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and attorney Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss. Wells was brought on to offer an independent perspective, according to the release.
As part of the investigation, the NFL has already conducted 40 interviews, including Patriots personnel and game officials. The NFL has also hired Renaissance Associates, an investigatory firm with forensic expertise, to review electronic information obtained during the probe.
The statement did not provide a timeline for when the investigation will conclude.
LINK: Tom Brady: “I Didn’t Alter The Ball In Any Way”
LINK: Tom Brady On Deflategate: “This Isn’t ISIS”
