The NFL is investigating the Atlanta Falcons over accusations that the team has been faking crowd noise in an attempt to distract opponents.
The accusations against the Falcons span the past two seasons, sources told ESPN.
The team is being accused of playing the fake crowd sounds in their stadium in an attempt to distract the opposing team in its huddle.
The NFL is expected to punish the team, according to ESPN. The Falcons could lose a draft pick or be fined.
However, there is debate in football circles about how much crowd noise really helps a team, with NFL figures telling ESPN that the rise of silent counts have made excess noise not that big of a deal.
An NFL spokesman told BuzzFeed News the league had no comment on the ESPN report.
The team is aware that the league is investigating crowd noise during its games, a Falcons spokesman told BuzzFeed News.
"We have cooperated fully with them, and we're awaiting the outcome," the spokesman said.
The Falcons had a 6-10 record this past season and placed third in the NFC Southern Division. They were 3-5 at their home stadium, the Georgia Dome.