A six-month inquiry into the team’s alleged violations of League regulations prohibiting interference with players and coaches under contract to rival teams examined claims made by former head coach Brian Flores. The examination spanned the year of 2019–2022.

The inquiry also examined whether Chairman and Managing General Partner Mr. Stephen Ross provided Flores with financial inducements to lose games, as well as whether the squad purposefully dropped games to strengthen the club’s standing in the 2020 draft.

According to the National Football League, “the investigation conclusively established violations of the Anti-Tampering Policy on three separate occasions.”

The inquiry concluded in 2019 that, between 2019 and 20 while under contract to the New England Patriots, quarterback Tom Brady had “impermissible communications” with the Dolphins. According to the study, such conversations started back in August 2019. The Dolphins’ Vice Chairman and limited partner, Bruce Beal, led the conversations and provided updates to Ross and other Dolphins executives.

The investigation also revealed that, when Brady was still under contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dolphins once more engaged in “impermissible communications” with him and his agent during and after the 2021 season.

“Miami did not seek consent from New Orleans to have these discussions, which occurred before Coach Payton announced his decision to retire as head coach of the Saints,” according to the National Football League.

The investigation turned up no evidence of them tanking to get a better draft position or Ross giving Flores money to lose.

“The Dolphins’ 2019 campaign was not marred by purposeful defeats. Coach Flores was not given any instructions to do so by anyone at the club, not even Mr. Ross. Not a single witness disputed this. Despite Miami’s standing in the 2020 draft being worse, the Dolphins battled valiantly to win every game, including victories over Cincinnati and New England towards the close of the year, according to an NFL statement.