( CNN ) -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was fined $ 50,000 Wednesday by the National Football League for failing to cooperate with an internal investigation into whether he sent sexually explicit texts to a New York Jets hostess . But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , citing a lack of evidence , `` could not conclude that Favre violated league policies relating to workplace conduct , '' the league said in a statement . The NFL was unable to establish whether Favre sent objectionable messages to New York Jets game-day hostess Jenn Sterger in 2008 , when he played quarterback for the Jets . He joined the Vikings in 2009 . The league also found no evidence to contradict assertions by Favre and Sterger that they never even met in person . But Goodell determined that `` Favre was not candid in several respects during the investigation , resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre , Sterger , and the NFL , '' the league said . The NFL had expanded its investigation to look into a second media report alleging further misconduct by Favre with other women who worked at the Jets ' facility during the 2008 season . `` Misconduct by Favre regarding that claim was unable to be substantiated because individuals with potentially relevant information declined to be interviewed or otherwise cooperate with the investigation , '' the league said . Goodell has told Favre that if the investigation found a violation of the league 's workplace conduct policies , the commissioner would have imposed a `` substantially '' bigger penalty . The league said it does n't judge private conduct or personal relationships except where that conduct or those relationships raise issues under the law or league policies . In the allegations involving Sterger , the NFL reviewed public reports , its interviews with several individuals including Sterger and Favre , communications between the two and an independent forensic analysis of electronically-stored material . `` The investigation was limited in several respects because the conduct occurred in 2008 but was not brought to our attention until this fall . As a result , certain records and individuals were unavailable to the NFL , '' the NFL said in a statement . The overall investigation took longer than expected because the league had trouble arranging interviews with key individuals and a lot of time was needed to gather stored electronic records , the league said . Goodell also decided to meet personally with Favre and Sterger , which added more time to the inquiry , the league said . There was no evidence to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct , according to the statement . Goodell used the occasion Wednesday to remind all NFL teams about improper or unlawful conduct in the workplace . `` Every member of every club 's staff should be able to work in an environment free of harassment or hostility , and one in which every employee is valued , respected , and given a full opportunity to contribute to the goals of the club and the NFL , '' Goodell said in the league statement . `` Our new training program on workplace conduct will help all of us to promote the right kind of environment for all employees and I intend to dedicate the fine I have imposed on Favre to help fund that training program . '' CNN 's Michael Martinez contributed to this report .
The Vikings quarterback was accused of sending sexually explicit texts to a Jets hostess . Favre did n't cooperate with a NFL inquiry into the alleged misconduct , the league says . The NFL says it is unable to determine whether he violated workplace rules .