Watson Settlement May Prevent Browns From Voiding Contract

Deshaun Watson has reached a litigation settlement with a woman, identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe, who in a recently filed lawsuit accused the Cleveland Browns quarterback of sexual assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from an alleged incident in 2020.

In an emailed statement to Sportico, Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, confirmed the settlement and that its terms are confidential.  While Watson is presumably paying Doe an amount of money, he might be safeguarding his $230 million guaranteed contract with the Browns from a potential forfeiture effort by the team.

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In order to take effect, the settlement must be approved by Harris County (Texas) District Court Judge Rabeea Collier.

The filing of the lawsuit was surprising in that Watson had many reasons to reach a confidential, pre-litigation settlement with Doe before the public and—more importantly—the NFL became aware of the allegations.

To that point, the NFL investigates allegations of sexual violence and other crimes and could suspend Watson upon a finding he engaged in such acts. The league does not need a criminal conviction to determine that a player has violated a workplace policy.

Watson would also be treated as a potential repeat offender. In 2022, the NFL suspended him for 11 games and obligated him to pay a $5 million fine for conduct detrimental to the league related to allegations of sexual misconduct with massage therapists. A neutral hearing officer, retired Judge Sue Robinson, found that Watson engaged in “predatory conduct.” If Watson is suspended again by the NFL, the league could argue he should face a stiffer punishment.

Even more threatening to Watson than an NFL suspension is the prospect of the Browns trying to void his contract. Sports Illustrated reported it had obtained a copy of the contract, which contains several terms that, as worded, provide the Browns with textual grounds to attempt to void the deal. Those terms include if the NFL suspends Watson for conduct detrimental, if his conduct reflects poorly on the Browns, or if he concealed conduct from the Browns that could bring criminal charges.

The confidential aspect of the settlement almost certainly means Doe will not agree to participate in discussions with the NFL or the Browns regarding her allegations against Watson. Typically a settlement contractually bars the parties from speaking with others about the matter. The settlement also means that Buzbee, who last month told ESPN he planned to share with the NFL a video and implicating statements from other witnesses, is unlikely to facilitate any continued league or team investigation into Watson.

Watson, 29, has struggled for the 1-4 Browns, who face calls to bench him for his on-field performance. The former Houston Texans star has thrown for five touchdowns and three interceptions and is ranked 28th in passer rating.

Buzbee, meanwhile, is reportedly representing more than 100 accusers of Sean “Diddy” Combs and has reached settlements on behalf of some of those accusers.

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