In the case of the deflated footballs and OTHER mysteries, remember the most important question.

[Are_grits_groceries]

Cui Bono?
This will usually lead you to the answer.
Also remember Occam's Razor. When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras. Simplify.

[merrily]

1. I live in a densely populated part of Boston. When I hear hoofbeats, I think Foley Artist.

[Nyc72dem]

2. It's pretty much over

How many ball jokes can people make? The ny newspapers are now complaining nothing is/will be done about it. Even they're giving up.

If they release any findings AFTER the super bowl the story will deflate. Not many will care anymore.

[GummyBearz]

3. Who's balls are you talking about?

And why?

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. Nothing such as messing with the teams in the Superbowl

or anything to do with it.
However, the Patriots could get hammered. They could lose draft picks. They may be fined, but the draft picks will hurt.

[SheilaT]

5. The most important question is actually:

Why does our culture place so much importance on football? Also baseball and basketball.

It's all a part of the culture of celebrity that has completely overrun our country. People think that somehow it matters who wins a particular game, or which person famous only for being famous is marrying or divorcing or having babies. It's genuinely scary that the vast majority of people know the names of these people and know nothing about the person they vote for, or what laws are being passed.