The Sports Xchange

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrived at the federal courthouse in New York on Wednesday morning to meet with the judge hearing the Deflategate lawsuit.

Fans were outside the courthouse when Brady and Goodell arrived separately to the federal building. Boos could be heard when Goodell arrived, and shouts of “Give ’em hell, Tom!” were heard when Brady walked past the gathering.

United States District Judge Richard M. Berman entered a motion Tuesday requesting the NFL Players Association and NFL hold settlement talks in advance of Wednesday’s hearing in the long-running drama surrounding Deflategate.

A public session was scheduled after the private meeting with Berman, amid reports settlement talks have not been productive.

Albert Breer of NFL Media reported that Brady’s refusal to admit guilt remains a stumbling block. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Brady would have to “accept” the Ted Wells report for the two sides to reach a settlement.

On July 28, Goodell upheld a four-game suspension for Brady’s alleged role in using underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game in January.

Berman previously ordered Goodell and Brady to be present Wednesday. A second mediation hearing is already set for one week later on Aug. 19.

With the ruling by Goodell, Brady is slated to miss the Patriots’ first four regular-season games: the Sept. 10 home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 20 at the Buffalo Bills, Sept. 27 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a bye Week 4, the Patriots return visit the Dallas Cowboys on Oct 11. Second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to start in place of Brady.

Brady would be eligible to return in Week 6 at the Indianapolis Colts in a Sunday night game against the team that helped pave the way for the investigation after it was determined the Patriots used underinflated footballs during the AFC title game. New England beat Indianapolis 45-7 to advance to the Super Bowl, in which the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24.