Sept. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick were fined a total of $750,000 and the team might lose a first-round draft pick for spying on New York Jets coaches during a game.

The National Football League said in a statement that it handed down the punishment for violating league policy ``on the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team's offensive or defensive signals.'' The Patriots had no immediate comment.

Belichick was fined $500,000, the maximum under NFL bylaws, while the team was fined $250,000. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also said the Patriots would be stripped of their first- round draft pick in 2008 if they reach the playoffs, or their second- and third-round picks if the team doesn't reach the postseason.

``This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field,'' Goodell wrote in a letter to the Patriots.

NFL security guards removed a Patriots employee with a video camera from the sidelines during the team's 38-14 win over the Jets on Sept. 9 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The league seized the camera and tape after the employee was suspected of attempting to film the Jets' coaches signaling plays to the field.

``I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight's ruling,'' Belichick said in a statement.

Coach Apology

Belichick said he apologized to the family of Patriots owner Robert Kraft ``and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused.''

League policy states that ``no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game,'' and that all video shooting locations for coaching purposes ``must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead.''

Goodell said the videotaping had no impact on the outcome of the game.

``We support the commissioner and his findings,'' the Jets said in a press release. ``The focus of our organization remains on the upcoming game against Baltimore.''

Belichick first apologized in a statement yesterday to everyone who had been affected by the situation, without elaborating in a subsequent news conference. He said he had spoken with Goodell and that the case stemmed from his own interpretation of the league rules.

`Competitive Advantage'

``As the commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week's game,'' Belichick said. ``We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress.''

Goodell said in the NFL's press release that he considered suspending Belichick.

``I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension,'' Goodell said.

While Goodell said he believed Patriots ownership didn't know about the videotaping, he punished the team because Belichick ``not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club.''

`Incorrect' View

Belichick said his job mandated that the Patriots operated within league rules. He said his interpretation of the videotape rule was ``incorrect.''

The punishment is the latest disciplinary action handed down by Goodell, who revised the NFL's personal-conduct policy for all league personnel last year.

Goodell is investigating the case of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of running an interstate dogfighting ring. Goodell suspended him indefinitely, calling Vick's actions ``cruel and reprehensible.''

In April, Goodell suspended Tennessee Titans defensive back Pacman Jones for the entire 16-game 2007 season after Jones was arrested five times in about two years on charges that included public intoxication and felony coercion involving a fight in a Las Vegas strip club that left an employee paralyzed.

Goodell also handed out eight-game bans to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson. Henry was arrested four times in a 14-month period on charges that included drunken driving and providing alcohol to minors. Johnson was disciplined for violating probation on a weapons charge.

To contact the reporters on this story: Larry DiTore in New York at lditore@bloomberg.net; Bob Bensch in New York at bbensch@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: September 13, 2007 23:02 EDT