Why Are Patriots Fans Suing The NFL For Inflicting 'Emotional Distress'?

Orsatti v. NFL is a federal lawsuit that was filed in Massachusetts district court earlier this week.

"This case is brought by New England Patriots fans," reads section one of the preliminary statement of the case, "on behalf of all Patriots fans who believe the New England Patriots professional football team were harmed by the Defendants’ arbitrary and capricious decision to revoke the Patriots first round draft choice," for alleged participation in a cheating scandal popularly referred to by the media as "Deflategate."

In other words, a group of fans claim that, by virtue of being fans, they've got a legal interest in the NFL restoring the Patriots' first round draft pick, that Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell have violated that interest and, in doing so, they've caused the fans extensive emotional harm, including, "embarrassment, ridicule and depression due to the rest of the country who is jealous of the Patriots ‘piling on’ and criticizing the Patriots and their fans for being 'cheaters.'"

Dan Lebowitz, executive director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University.

WBUR: Fans Want Patriots' Draft Pick Restored And Sue NFL To Make It Happen

Sports Illustrated: Patriots Fans’ Deflategate Lawsuit Has Almost No Shot At Succeeding

Boston Herald: Patriots Fans Sue To Get Draft Pick Back, Cite ‘Emotional Distress’