NFL Fines Broncos for Spying on 49ers

Coach, team out $50K each; video director is fired

By John Johnson

Posted Nov 27, 2010 11:54 AM CST
Updated Nov 27, 2010 2:54 PM CST

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NFL Fines Broncos for Spying on 49ers — Denver Broncos' Josh McDaniels, right, looks on during the game against San Francisco at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The NFL has another case of illegal snooping on its hands. In a flap reminiscent of the Patriots' "spygate" scandal, the league has fined the Denver Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels $50,000 each for filming the practice of the 49ers before a game in London last month. The team has fired its videotaping director and said he acted without checking with anyone, reports the Denver Post.

In a we-didn't-inhale defense, team owner Pat Bowlen and McDaniels swear nobody actually watched the video. Could this be a little vindication for Bill Belichick of the everybody-does-it variety? Maybe just a little: The newspaper notes that both McDaniels and the fired videotape chief, Steve Scarnecchia, used to work for him in New England. (More NFL stories.)

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