Belichick fined $500,000 for spying

NEW YORK, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has fined New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick $500,000 for trying to steal his opponent's signals during a game Sunday.

The Patriots as a team will be fined an additional $250,000, and if they reach the playoffs this year they will lose their 2008 first-round draft choice. If New England misses the playoffs, they will lose their second and third-round picks next year.

The $500,000 fine is the maximum allowed by the league and represents a major statement by Goodell in his first year as commissioner.

"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," Goodell wrote to the Patriots.

It is against NFL rules for one team to film coaches from another team as they signal in offensive or defensive plays and formations. It was determined the Patriots did just that during their season-opening game with the New York Jets last Sunday. The Patriots won, 38-14.

Goodell said he chose not to suspend Belichick because he thought the punishment he imposed would be "more significant and long-lasting."