The NFL has reportedly asked a federal court in New York to confirm New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension.

The 37-year-old's appeal against his ban by the league was upheld by commissioner Roger Goodell after Brady provided no evidence to contradict the findings of the investigation into the deflategate scandal by Ted Wells at his hearing in June.

Brady and the NFL Players Association are considering taking the matter to federal court to overturn the league's ruling.

However, the NFL has moved pre-emptively to file a complaint in Manhattan to steer the jurisdiction away from Minnesota, where the NFLPA successfully had Adrian Peterson's suspension overturned earlier this year, reports Bloomberg News.

Brady is due to miss his side's matches against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys.