New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves Federal court, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in New York. Brady left the courthouse after a full day of talks with a federal judge in his dispute with the NFL over a four-game suspension. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK -- Lawyers for the NFL and its players' union have completed two days of negotiations with a Manhattan federal court judge over the deflated ball controversy stemming from January's AFC championship game.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Commissioner Roger Goodell did not attend two hours of talks Thursday morning when lawyers on both sides met separately with Judge Richard Berman.
There are no additional talks with the judge scheduled before a hearing next week, though lawyers are expected to continue negotiations on their own.
The talks Thursday occurred because lawyers had not finished their meetings with Berman when they left the courthouse Wednesday after four hours of discussions.
If there is no settlement, Berman will be left to decide whether Goodell's four-game suspension of Brady stands.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.