By: Cedric Wu

The NFL is arguing in favor of a one-year suspension of Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday. The hearing is based on sexual misconduct allegations against Watson.

Watson is being suspended for alleged sexual misconduct in two dozen civil lawsuits filed by women. The accusations violate the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The NFL plans to suspend his pay for at least the entirety of the 2022 season.

Watson has not been charged with a crime though, and has denied all allegations posed against him. He has also reached settlements in 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed against him, according to Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the women. The four remaining lawsuits will also be resolved.

The NFL Players Association is expected to conduct the hearing under U.S district judge Sue L. Robinson. If Robinson rules against Watson, the league could appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. If Robinson rules that Watson did not violate the personal conduct policy then the case will be immediately closed with no chance for appeal.

The decision can greatly affect Watson financially. His salary would be cut for at least an entire year.

According to an article written in The Washington Post, Mark Maske, a sports journalist, states “Watson has a base salary of $1.035 million for the 2022 season as part of the five-year contract he signed with the Browns worth a guaranteed $230 million. He would lose that salary if he’s suspended for the entire season, and it’s possible that the NFL could seek to impose an additional fine.”

The league’s decision to suspend Watson is not a surprise to those familiar with the case as the NFL does not wish to be associated with him anymore. Those following the entire case knew that the NFL would seek a “significant” suspension of Watson.

Link to article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/25/deshaun-watson-nfl-suspension/