Stephen Ross to attempt to pass off tanking offer as joke?

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will eventually have some serious questions to answer when the NFL investigates the tanking allegations against him, and his defense may center on a rather weak excuse.

Brian Flores filed a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three of its teams two weeks ago. In it, the former Dolphins coach claims Ross tried to go to great lengths to tank for a high draft pick in 2019. According to Flores, Ross offered $100,000 per loss and essentially told Flores to stop working so hard. Flores also claimed Ross pressured him to meet with a prominent quarterback in violation of the NFL’s tampering rules

Flores’ camp claims to have proof of the bonus offer, but Ross has vehemently denied ever trying to financially incentivize losing. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there is a growing belief that the NFL’s investigation will determine Ross did make the offer. If that’s the case, what will he say?

One source speculated to Florio that Ross might claim he was joking with the $100,000-per-loss offer.

I doubt Roger [Goodell] will have any sympathy for that defense,” the source said.

A report on Monday claimed Ross could be forced to sell the Dolphins if Flores’ allegation is proven to be true. That seems unlikely, but there would almost certainly be serious consequences beyond a slap on the wrist.