The Deflate-gate investigation will not be completed by the Super Bowl on Sunday, according to the NFL's Ted Wells.
Allegations have been made that the New England Patriots deliberately played with balls deflated well below the NFL's pressure requirements in the AFC Championship game.
The Patriots thumped the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
Wells, who is leading the league’s investigation, announced on Monday that the process will not be a timely one.
"We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation on the issue of the footballs used in the AFC Championship," Wells said in a statement.
"This work began last week, stretched through the weekend, and is proceeding expeditiously this week notwithstanding the Super Bowl. We are following customary investigative procedures and no one should draw any conclusions about the sequence of interviews or any other steps, all of which are part of the process of doing a thorough and fair investigation.
"I expect the investigation to take at least several more weeks. In the interim, it would be best if everyone involved or potentially involved in this matter avoids public comment concerning the matter until the investigation is concluded. The results will be shared publicly."
The league has yet to comment on the latest reports that indicate the investigation has zeroed in on a Patriots locker room attendant.