Goodell, Brady arrive early for 'Deflategate' case hearing

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady have arrived early for a court appearance in New York for the "Deflategate" case.

The pair arrived separately about an hour and a half before they were scheduled to appear before Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan.

The judge had ordered both to show up for a final conference before he rules on whether Brady must serve a four-game suspension for his role in using underinflated footballs during a playoff game last season.

The NFL wants Berman to agree it handled the case appropriately while the NFL Players Association wants the suspension nullified.

Berman has said he hopes to rule by Friday. That would give Brady enough time to prepare for his team's season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 10.