Independent Investigator Ted Wells has released his report on the so-called "Deflategate" incident involving the New England Patriots, and the report concludes it was likely that people connected to the Patriots deliberately deflated footballs used by the team in the AFC Championship Game.

"We have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and John Jastremski (an equipment assistant for the Patriots) participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee.

"Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls," the report reads.

In a story on the National Football League's website, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will now consider what to do next.

"As with other recent matters involving violations of competitive rules, Troy Vincent and his team will consider what steps to take in light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to avoid future incidents of this type," Goodell said in a statement. "At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all times."

In a statement on the Patriots' website, team owner Robert Kraft said, while he found it "incomprehensible" that the league spent so much time, effort and resources on the investigation, the team would not fight any decision made by the league.

"Knowing that there is no real recourse available, fighting the league and extending this debate would prove to be futile," Kraft said. "We understand and greatly respect the responsibility of being one of 32 in this league and, on that basis, we will accept the findings of the report and take the appropriate actions based on those findings as well as any discipline levied by the league.”

Kraft said he still believed that the "atmospheric conditions" led to the underinflated footballs.

“When I addressed the media at the Super Bowl on January 26 – over 14 weeks ago – I stated that I unconditionally believed that the New England Patriots had done nothing inappropriate in this process or in violation of the NFL rules and that I was disappointed in the way the league handled the initial investigation. That sentiment has not changed," Kraft said.

“I was convinced that Ted Wells’ investigation would find the same factual evidence supported by both scientific formula and independent research as we did and would ultimately exonerate the Patriots. Based on the explanations I have heard and the studies that have been done, I don’t know how the science of atmospheric conditions can be refuted or how conclusions to the contrary can be drawn without some definitive evidence."

"“Throughout the process of this nearly four-month investigation, we have cooperated and patiently awaited its outcome," added Kraft. "To say we are disappointed in its findings, which do not include any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs at the AFC Championship game, would be a gross understatement."

More From 92 Moose