OT: Deshaun Watson sued (again) for sexual assault

[Sect140]

What are the odds that NONE of these stories has any truth to them? One, maybe...two...ehhhh.... beyond three, it starts getting a little difficult to believe he's a victim of circumstance.

A couple years ago there were 24 accusations against him. Then the Cleveland Browns swooped in and paid him 250 million dollars and soon after he settled with 23 of them. I’m sure he’ll settle with this one and Roger will say nice job Deshaun.

 

[Clonamery]

I was in error in presenting the $73M as 'guaranteed' it is his current 2025 cap number, some of it having already been paid. $173M is his dead cap number next year providing Roger can't find a way to help a brother out and provide Haslam some relief from his own stupidity

Goodell is always willing to massage the owners need for relief.

 

[chasa]

With all due respect, you have no idea whatsoever what Watson did or didn't disclose to the Brown when they signed the deal.

This isn't one of the masseuses who sued him, this is an entirely separate allegation. Personally, I find it very hard to believe he went out of his way to mention "by the way, I sexually assaulted a woman in 2020...."

And With All Due respect the Browns can't void the contract based on allegations. You can't disclose something that might not have happened, and you wouldn't disclose it if it did because then you're basically admitting to a crime. Watson is a scummy piece of **** who I'd be totally fine being fed to some stray dogs, but that being said in order for this to run it's course:

1.) this is a civil case, not a criminal one, so law enforcement isn't involved.
2.) If it goes to court, and if he's found guilty, the league would have to determine that a civil case is bad enough to warrant a suspension. Much like his other 30 cases, this one is going to get settled and he'll admit no wrong doing. because when you're rich you can do whatever you want. Again, if we could just yeet him into the sun that would be cool with me.
3.) Goodell could take it upon himself to issue a suspension just cause, but it's unlikely.

The only way they can void his contract is if he holds out, retires, or gets suspended.

If Goodell wants to suspend him he can at ANY time for Anything he deems worthy, see Brady being suspended for more likely then not knowing his footballs were inflated to the legal limit.

 

[XLIX]

And With All Due respect the Browns can't void the contract based on allegations. You can't disclose something that might not have happened, and you wouldn't disclose it if it did because then you're basically admitting to a crime. Watson is a scummy piece of **** who I'd be totally fine being fed to some stray dogs, but that being said in order for this to run it's course:

1.) this is a civil case, not a criminal one, so law enforcement isn't involved.

Correct

2.) If it goes to court, and if he's found guilty, the league would have to determine that a civil case is bad enough to warrant a suspension. Much like his other 30 cases, this one is going to get settled and he'll admit no wrong doing. because when you're rich you can do whatever you want. Again, if we could just yeet him into the sun that would be cool with me.

There is no such thing as being "found guilty" in a civil court case. That aside, the League can (and will) do whatever Goodell wants and Watson will have no recourse other than to appeal to an arbitration process where Goodell gets to choose who the arbitrator is.

3.) Goodell could take it upon himself to issue a suspension just cause, but it's unlikely.

Goodell will do what he always does.... cater to public opinion. If people are overwhelmingly calling for a suspension, then Watson will get suspended. If the story goes away and no one really care, Goodell might not do a darn thing.

 

[maust]

Then it seems we have no disagreement as my original posted stated Cleveland could convert his 2025 salary to signing bonus (just like they did this year) and that $72.9 MM hit becomes roughly $36 MM.

(And, as I previously noted, I am talking about the situation with his contract as it currently exists.... if they do void it, the numbers change somewhat)

My contention was, and remains, the level of management involved in a decision of that size isn't getting fired
Someone undoubtedly would but not the one really making the decision. Again, Jimmy Haslam isn't firing himself, no matter how much Brownies fans might wish he would.

 

[Clonamery]

My contention was, and remains, the level of management involved in a decision of that size isn't getting fired
Someone undoubtedly would but not the one really making the decision. Again, Jimmy Haslam isn't firing himself, no matter how much Brownies fans might wish he would.

Might have been that homeless guy Haslam talks to but then again he may just handle College Scouting.

 

[rochrist]

Is there any proof? How do you know if it is fabricated or not? The Browns can't get out of the contract because someone makes something up.

After all, there is no history there.

 

[Ross12]

And With All Due respect the Browns can't void the contract based on allegations. You can't disclose something that might not have happened, and you wouldn't disclose it if it did because then you're basically admitting to a crime. Watson is a scummy piece of **** who I'd be totally fine being fed to some stray dogs, but that being said in order for this to run it's course:

1.) this is a civil case, not a criminal one, so law enforcement isn't involved.
2.) If it goes to court, and if he's found guilty, the league would have to determine that a civil case is bad enough to warrant a suspension. Much like his other 30 cases, this one is going to get settled and he'll admit no wrong doing. because when you're rich you can do whatever you want. Again, if we could just yeet him into the sun that would be cool with me.
3.) Goodell could take it upon himself to issue a suspension just cause, but it's unlikely.

The only way they can void his contract is if he holds out, retires, or gets suspended.

If Goodell wants to suspend him he can at ANY time for Anything he deems worthy, see Brady being suspended for more likely then not knowing his footballs were inflated to the legal limit.

I think you really have no grounds to say what the Browns can or can't do unless you have the contract itself available to you. Teams very frequently include language surrounding situations which render the deal void, often around pre-existing circumstances at time of signing that must be disclosed. This situation meeting such criteria depends on the presence of such language and how it is worded. We don't know if it exists and if so, what it says. If you have a copy of Watson's contract available please feel free to share.

 

[chasa]

I think you really have no grounds to say what the Browns can or can't do unless you have the contract itself available to you. Teams very frequently include language surrounding situations which render the deal void, often around pre-existing circumstances at time of signing that must be disclosed. This situation meeting such criteria depends on the presence of such language and how it is worded. We don't know if it exists and if so, what it says. If you have a copy of Watson's contract available please feel free to share.

New Deshaun Watson lawsuit becomes a potential problem if case wasn't disclosed to Browns

Paragraph 42 is the key clause in Watson's Cleveland contract.

www.nbcsports.com

"The longer answer comes from Watson’s contract. PFT has obtained a copy of it. The key provision is paragraph 42.

Here’s the full language of paragraph 42: “Player hereby represents and warrants (except as otherwise disclosed to club in writing), as of the date hereof, that (1) Player has not been charged with, indicted for, convicted of or pled nolo contendre to any felony and/or misdemeanor involving fraud or moral turpitude, (ii) Player has not engaged in conduct which could subject him to a charge, indictment or conviction of any such offense, and (iii) no circumstances exist that would prevent Player’s continuing availability to the Club for duration of this Contract.”

Did Watson disclose this specific potential claim to the Browns in writing before he signed the contract? That’s the key question. If he did, the lawsuit can’t activate paragraph 42. If he didn’t, things get potentially complicated.


Based on the default language connected to the various guarantees, Watson doesn’t necessarily have to be suspended for the payments to be voided. Instead, if he “violates any material term of the Contract {included, but not limited to, Paragraph 42),” Watson has defaulted and the future guarantees can be voided."

NBC keeps updating the story, at the moment they say it's only based on the disclosure, earlier they said it was based on the suspension

 

[notex]

NBC keeps updating the story, at the moment they say it's only based on the disclosure, earlier they said it was based on the suspension

I may have read it prior to an update, but I read it as that IF he diclosed it = no void in contract no matter what. But if Watson DID NOT disclose it, contract could be voided IF he is suspended.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Never forget that Roger Goodell doesn't breathe without asking permission from the owners. He is their mouthpiece. If they thought he was doing a bad job, he'd be fired.

 

[chasa]

I may have read it prior to an update, but I read it as that IF he diclosed it = no void in contract no matter what. But if Watson DID NOT disclose it, contract could be voided IF he is suspended.

this was my understanding as well.

 

[Ross12]

I may have read it prior to an update, but I read it as that IF he diclosed it = no void in contract no matter what. But if Watson DID NOT disclose it, contract could be voided IF he is suspended.

Tough part for Cleveland is that it's a civil case and may take a very long time to go anywhere. Of course, the NFL could simply suspend him regardless pending the outcome.

The problem, IMO, is that Watson could claim that the suit is not true and that he was being truthful by not disclosing something which did not happen. I think then it could become a legal battle between Watson/the union and the Browns over the contract.

 

[raduray]

At some point, if Watson continues to suck, that remaining cap money has to be considered a sunk cost and ignored. Three draft picks and $270M guaranteed is already a disaster. No need to keep digging.

 

[maust]

At some point, if Watson continues to suck, that remaining cap money has to be considered a sunk cost and ignored. Three draft picks and $270M guaranteed is already a disaster. No need to keep digging.

Haha, I wonder if Jimmy Haslam ever saw a hole he couldn't manage to dig deeper. Maybe this is the one...

 

[203Pat]

At some point, if Watson continues to suck, that remaining cap money has to be considered a sunk cost and ignored. Three draft picks and $270M guaranteed is already a disaster. No need to keep digging.

I think it will come down to that this year. Ownership will have to decide to go with the cheaper option, firing a good coach in Kevin Stefanski, or the correct option in cutting Watson and eating that money. Haslam strikes me as a "win the deal" type of good ole' boy redneck so who knows what he will do but continuing with Watson after the cost and reputation hit will only compound the problem.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

That has got to be one of the most bizarre first dates I have ever read about.

Im guessing this won’t end up on one of those ‘our story’ sections from a wedding webpage.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Never forget that Roger Goodell doesn't breathe without asking permission from the owners. He is their mouthpiece.

IN OTHER WORDS: If Haslam is allowed out of the deal, and Goodell announces it, it's only because whatever majority of owners are needed to approve such a thing...approved it.

Goodell is just there to absorb the hits that otherwise would come for the owners. THAT is what he is paid for.

 

[203Pat]

Never forget that Roger Goodell doesn't breathe without asking permission from the owners. He is their mouthpiece.

IN OTHER WORDS: If Haslam is allowed out of the deal, and Goodell announces it, it's only because whatever majority of owners are needed to approve such a thing...approved it.

Goodell is just there to absorb the hits that otherwise would come for the owners. THAT is what he is paid for.

Word was the owners were pissed at Haslam for being the first to offer a fully guaranteed deal of that magnitude. Very easy to believe since they have basically all been colluding ever since to not allow it to ever happen again.

 

[Real fan 02]

A couple years ago there were 24 accusations against him. Then the Cleveland Browns swooped in and paid him 250 million dollars and soon after he settled with 23 of them. I’m sure he’ll settle with this one and Roger will say nice job Deshaun.

Him being a young guy.. he doesn't look like he's enjoying football. I think the lawsuits and the pressure of living up to the contract is weighing on him.. not to mention the shoulder... what a career ender shoulders and elbows can be for a QB.. yeah this one too will be settled..