Goodell only needs to find that Brown “may have” committed an act of violence against Taylor in order to exempt Brown from eligibility, which is a very low bar. Goodell doesn’t need to be certain that Brown battered Taylor or even inclined to believe it. He simply needs to find that Brown “may have” battered Taylor.
Although Brown would still be paid his base salary while on the exempt list, he would become less likely to earn lucrative bonuses. Brown would reportedly earn $1.5 million bonuses if he 105 catches, 1,298 yards or 16 touchdowns this season. Placement on the exempt list could also serve as a precursor to an unpaid suspension.
When Taylor met with the NFL, the league obtained a record, which likely contains a summary of the questions asked by league staff to Taylor and her responses; it might also contain a transcript if the meeting was recorded. Goodell can now rely on that record to punish Brown. This is true even if Taylor and Brown reach an out-of-court settlement next week or next month.
