NFL

Brees successfully argued that players can be franchise tagged only three total times in their careers. The Saints were arguing players could be tagged three times by any one team. Before this year, Brees was also franchised by the Chargers in 2005. It means Brees would be eligible for a 144 percent raise were he to be tagged for a third and final time in 2013. That would put his total 2012-13 earnings at $40 million instead of $36 million. The ruling gives Brees a nice bit of added leverage as the sides attempt to wrap up long-term talks before the July 16 deadline.