Joseph Conway, the lawyer for Jenn Sterger, said the NFL is clearly giving Brett Favre preferential treatment during its investigation of the Viking quarterback’s alleged sexual harassment of Sterger, NBC’s Pro Football Talk reported Tuesday.
“(Favre) is a high-profile athlete and a star in this league. He did do it or he didn’t do it. There are lots of reasons to believe he is getting preferential treatment,” Conway told Sports Business Daily.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said a week ago that a decision would be coming “soon” on whether to discipline Favre for allegedly sending inappropriate text and voice messages to Sterger in 2008 when both were with the Jets.
The results of the league’s investigation of Favre’s alleged propositioning of Sterger was handed over to Goodell three weeks ago. Goodell also said two weeks ago that a decision on whether to discipline the future NFL Hall of Famer would be coming “in the near future.”
The 41-year-old Favre has repeatedly declined comment but both he and Sterger met with league officials separately regarding the matter. Favre also allegedly sent Sterger a picture of his genitals.
The league is probing the allegations as a possible instance of sexual harassment.
But Tuesday marks two years since Favre last contacted Sterger. Under New Jersey law, a sexual harassment lawsuit must be filed within two years of the alleged misconduct.
If Conway does not file anything Tuesday, he could risk any eventual claim being dismissed.
Critics have suggested in recent weeks that Goodell is purposely delaying a decision on the matter out of respect to Favre, and to avoid having to punish the future Hall of Famer.
Favre is unlikely to play in Tuesday night’s game at Philadelphia, and with the Vikings out of the playoff race, his NFL career may end next weekend.
Favre has said repeatedly over the course of the season that he will not play next year.