NFL denies Chiefs' appeal of tampering penalties

The NFL informed the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday that the team's appeal of penalties issued for an anti-tampering violation last offseason has been denied.

Kansas City's discipline stems from improper contact the team made with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin during the "negotiating period" ahead of free agency in 2015. The NFL announced early last month that the team was being stripped of a 2016 third-round draft selection, and a sixth-rounder in in 2017.

While the Chiefs will still be without those picks as a result of the unsuccessful appeal, the NFL did reduce the organization's fine from $250,000 to $200,000, and another given to head coach Andy Reid from $75,000 to $60,000.

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released a statement on the decision Monday.

We appreciate the opportunity to make our appeal on this matter, and we acknowledge the minor reduction in fines imposed. However, we continue to believe that the facts of this case combined with the league’s inconsistent enforcement of its tampering policies do not warrant the most severe penalty for player-related tampering in league history.

Having exhausted our options under the appeal process, we are turning the page on this issue and look forward to continuing our preparations for the 2016 season.

Maclin was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles at the time he had contact with Kansas City.

He eventually went on to sign a five-year, $55-million contract with the Chiefs shortly after free agency officially got underway.