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7. DISCIPLINE.
(a) Enhanced Penalties. Tampering is a corrosive practice that undermines both the integrity of the game and relationships among clubs. Accordingly, as the Competition Committee advised in 2015, and as the Committee reaffirmed in 2016, more stringent discipline for documented cases of tampering is appropriate and necessary.
A club or club employee found guilty of tampering should not expect that the resulting discipline will necessarily be comparable to the discipline that was imposed in any case that was decided prior to the 2015 League Year, even if the facts of the previously decided case were substantially similar to the facts of the case currently under consideration. In most instances, reliance upon those cases will be unavailing.
(b) Incorporation of NFL Constitution and Bylaws. The NFL Anti-Tampering Policy expressly incorporates all relevant provisions of Articles VIII and IX of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws as interpreted herein. Those provisions vest the Commissioner with the full, complete, and final jurisdiction and authority to arbitrate any dispute that in his opinion constitutes conduct detrimental to the best interests of the League or professional football, including, but not limited to, tampering.
(c) Specific Penalties. Any violation of this Anti-tampering Policy will subject the involved club and/or person to severe disciplinary action by the Commissioner. In such cases, in addition to all other penalties provided in the Constitution and Bylaws, the Commissioner may award or transfer a selection choice or choices and/or deprive the offending club of a selection choice or choices, and/or may fine the offending club and/or may fine or suspend with or without pay any involved individuals as appropriate. The League office will promulgate to all clubs the details of any penalties imposed for tampering.