Favre disciplined by NFL in sext case [UPDATE]

Brett Favre escapes the Sterger controversy with a slap on the wrist.

And it's not because he did or didn't send lewd messages and photos to the woman. It's because he wouldn't cooperate in the NFL's investigation and the league says it can't tell if he broke any personal conduct rules.

Update: Here's an excerpt from the statement:

"In reviewing the matter, the sole focus was on whether there was a violation of league policies regarding conduct in the workplace," the statement said. "NFL policies do not extend to private conduct or make judgments about the appropriateness of personal relationships, except where that conduct or those relationships raise issues under the law or league policies.

"The investigation included an analysis of publicly available reports; a series of interviews with knowledgeable individuals, including Sterger and Favre; a review of communications between the two furnished to our office; and independent forensic analysis of electronically stored material. The investigation was limited in several respects because the conduct occurred in 2008 but was not brought to our attention until this fall. As a result, certain records and individuals were unavailable to the NFL."

For anyone hoping for details or confirmation about the affair, in which Favre is alleged to have sent lewd messages and cock shots to Sterger in 2008, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's announcement is a disappointment.

And a $50,000 fine levied against a guy who is playing this year on an $8 million contract reeks of being little more than a slap on the wrist.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer first broke the story this morning.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also predicted the fine:

And AP confirmed the story.

Tuesday was the two-year anniversary of Favre's inaugural message to Sterger, but the moment passed without a lawsuit from the Sterger camp.

The two-year mark is noteworthy because there's a two-year statute of limitations on sexual harassment lawsuits in New Jersey, where the Jets are based. Sterger's lawyer doesn't sound worried. He says he thinks the clock runs out in June 2011, when the last message was sent.

Sterger, who lost her TV job at the Versus cable channel after the story broke, says she won't sue if the league punishes Favre, and it's not clear right now whether she thinks the just-announced fine counts in that regard.

In the meantime, there continues to be a steady drip of lurid stories in the case. The latest: An unidentified source close to the NFL investigation says that Sterger got a text message from the quarterback asking her for a video of her masturbating.

The Favre File:

• Jenn Sterger claims Brett Favre penis pictures
• Deadspin defends Brett Favre naked in crocs story
• Deadspin says it will publish Brett Favre penis pics
• Brett Favre's penis revealed by Deadspin (Warning: Graphic photos)
• NFL checks out Brett Favre's penis
• Jenn Sterger threatens to go public on Brett Favre