The Sports Xchange

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is expected to file his appeal of a four-game suspension before Thursday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.

Brady was banned for his role as the alleged ringleader of team equipment managers who intentionally lowered the air pressure in footballs. Brady did not fully cooperate with the NFL’s third-party investigation led by Ted Wells, according to a 243-page report outlining the offenses. In the public report issued April 29, investigators said that it was “more probable than not” that Brady “was at least generally aware” that team employees were instructed to prepare the balls to his liking. They inflated the balls below the league minimum of 12.5 pounds per square inch.

Brady’s agent went on the offensive, calling the investigation biased and the original in-game testing of footballs in the AFC Championship game in January a “sting operation” orchestrated by Park Avenue suits. Wells lashed back Wednesday, saying the investigation is based on facts and evidence, and further inviting Brady’s rep, Don Yee, to share the full transcript of Brady’s testimony.

Already Brady lawyered up with experienced labor attorney Jeffrey Kessler. The established NFL nemesis has worked with players in the past, including the lockout of 2011.

The Patriots have not indicated whether they plan to appeal a $1 million fine and the loss of a first-round draft pick next year and a fourth-rounder in 2017.