Tom Brady appeal hearing ends after more than 10 hours

NEW YORK – Tom Brady’s appeal of his four-game suspension lasted more than 10 hours Tuesday, ending in the early evening.

The sight of Commissioner Roger Goodell leaving the league offices after he heard Brady and representatives from the players’ union during the lengthy meeting, confirmed its conclusion. League security said Brady also had left.

No details of the hearing were immediately available.

Brady was suspended by the league for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game win over Indianapolis. He arrived at the NFL’s Park Avenue offices Tuesday morning, as did attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is leading Brady’s defense.

The hearing was expected to adjourn in late afternoon, but carried on until just past 8:30 p.m. EDT.

“I think we put in a very compelling case,” Kessler said, adding that no timetable on a decision by Goodell had been given.

Kessler said he would have no further comments Tuesday night.

Based on the league-sanctioned Wells report, Brady was suspended and the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked a pair of draft picks.

Among the key elements of Brady’s appeal: who ordered his four-game suspension and whether science supports the league’s findings about deflated footballs.

Goodell has dismissed the union’s claim.