Judge Richard Berman has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 31st that both Tom Brady and Roger Goodell must attend.

Berman has urged the NFL and the union to reach a "logical and rational" conclusion to the dispute.

Berman will rule on the case by Sept. 4th if no deal is reached.

Berman reportedly was critical of Goodell's comparison of ball deflation to steroids and that the Wells Report has no Brady link to Jan. 18. Herman had issues with the language of the Wells Report and the appeal process.

"There is a bit of a quantum leap from the finding of Mr. Wells to the finding of Mr. Goodell," said Berman.

The New England Patriots' first game will be played on Sept. 10th.