Yeah exactly my thoughts on this. If I understand this right-- Goodell is literally appealing the decision and he gets to pick or designate who decides the punishment for Watson (he can pick himself) and then there is nothing the player can do to appeal that verdict. It is final.
Also note the way the Browns structured his contract (i.e. assuming the dirtbag was getting suspended and then $tructuring it so that Watson's financial hit would be mitigated). After further review.. "Awright, let's see a show of hands........Browns suck or what?"
Here is the text of the decision made by Judge Robinson: Deshaun Watson Suspension Ruling - DocumentCloud
Tom Pelissero reports on the next steps to be taken in the case and the possibility of a federal lawsuit and a restraining order preventing the NFL from initiating any suspension: Tom Pelissero on Twitter: "From our breaking news segment on the NFL’s decision to appeal Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, and the looming possibility this ends up getting sorted out in federal court. @nflnetwork https://t.co/uvoZAt0clK" / Twitter Here's an ESPN story that explains what happens now that the NFL has appealed the decision: Deshaun Watson suspended - What does it mean? And what's next for the QB and the Cleveland Browns? (espn.com) "The NFLPA has two business days to file in writing a response to the NFL's appeal. Sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington on Wednesday the NFLPA was preparing to sue the NFL in federal court if it appealed Robinson's decision." It seems it is not impossible at all for Watson to sue the NFL as some have claimed for months.
Of course the NFLPA can sue, anyone can sue anyone. The question is will it go anywhere and that is probably where many of the posters saying the NFLPA can't sue are coming from. They may be able to sue but on what grounds that it won't just be dismissed. They have agreed that the process was fair, any federal suit would need to prove procedural unfairness, so no basis there. They just signed a new CBA which explicitly spells out what the league can do, Goodell's say being the final say, so no basis there. The NFLPA knows they have no case and is just posturing, they may file suit but I doubt it gets very far.
The only thing I can think of is league is worried about pissing off and losing their female fans. As we all know the league only cares about one thing....$$$$$$$.
Actually there were people here maintaining that such a suit could not be brought at all, that the NFLPA had bargained away their right to sue. We'll have a better picture when we know how the NFL handles the appeal but the first two articles I read from people closer to the situation than we are both expect a federal lawsuit if there is a significant increase in the punishment. How such a suit would end up is anyone's guess at this time but it could result in delaying the onset of any suspension through a restraining order while the suit is adjudicated. Having read the Judge's report a few things stand out. The PCP was not written to specify how any of the terms like sexual misconduct were specifically defined but the judge said it's the NFL's policy so they can define it any way they choose; that may be a point of contention for anything that happened before it was spelled out. The other thing that stands out is she based the six game suspension on prior players cases involving players and their punishments for things that could affect the outcome of the game, like Brady in the Deflategate incident and betting on games. She also did not consider those in ownership and management who were also involved in sexual misconduct but received no penalty at all when that policy states such individuals will be held to a higher standard than players. If a policy is implemented it must be consistently implemented as written. The record of the appeal submitted by the NFL and the responses from the NFLPA and Watson individually as well as the appeals decision may also be points of contention but we don't know what will be in them today.
The NFLPA did bargain away that right but it does not stop them from filing. From someone whom is in the industry and knows better than us. Edit: And the NFLPA statement after the punishment handed down stated they thought it was all fair, how are they going to now file a brief saying it was not a fair hearing and judgement?
They believe the 6 games handed down by the independent arbiter is fair, not necessarily what Lord Goodell will change it to I dont disagree with your points though, they will have a hard time winning if they file suit.
They said the whole hearing and punishment was fair, if they try to base the suit just on Goodell's changing of the punishment then they are truly out of luck. It's not a 50 year old, outdated labor agreement, It's less than 2 years old and exactly what they agreed to. I don't think they will even file unless it is just to get Watson in 1 game this year, before the suspension takes effect, so he doesn't sit out his full $1m contract year and have it toll to next year. I would think the only chance they have is Goodell says 1 year, they say make it 12 games and we won't sue. I still think the league holds firm in that situation but you never know.
Even if the CBA doesn't bar a lawsuit, each side has a lot to be worried about. The NFL has to be concerned about the NFLPA showing how leniently owners have been treated for their misdeeds, especially since the Personal Conduct Policy says that owners are held to a higher standard than players. Double standards usually don't play well in court. The NFLPA has to be worried about Judge Robinson's factual findings: that Watson did what he was accused of doing, that he was not a credible witness, and that he didn't show remorse. Even if the CBA doesn't bar a lawsuit, a federal court is highly unlikely to disturb Judge Robinson's factual findings. Maybe we'll see a settlement.
At the very least he's getting 6 games. That's not in question. If Goodell increases it and Watson/NFLPA sues, he should still sit the first six games. It's never going no anything less than that.
One of the 24 was a member of your family: . 6 games? (I know that's not a legal barometer, just. throwing to out there...)
Sexual assault. This article explains some of them: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2022/6/16/22346818/deshaun-watsons-sexual-assault-allegations-explained
Former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey will hear the appeal. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...ected-hear-nfl-appeal-deshaun-watson-decision
