Lawsuits
Ashley Solis, left, the first woman among several plaintiffs to file lawsuits accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault or harassment, speaks as her attorney Tony Buzbee stands beside her during a news conference to give an update to the lawsuits Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Houston. The NFL is appealing a disciplinary officer's decision to suspend Watson for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Attorney urges Goodell to 'do the right thing' on Watson

By Kristie Rieken Aug. 04, 2022 06:35 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, right, watches as the team goes through drills during an NFL football practice on May 31, 2022, in Pittsburgh. A judge on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, quickened the time it will take to rule whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gets to decide the merits of racial discrimination claims made by Black coaches against the league and its teams, saying that it appears an effort to gather more evidence is a try at “an impermissible fishing expedition.” Flores, who was fired in January as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and is now with the Steelers, filed the lawsuit in February. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Judge shortens road to decide NFL racial discrimination suit

By Larry Neumeister Aug. 04, 2022 12:30 PM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross gestures at the end of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, on Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The NFL has suspended Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fined him $1.5 million for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton following a six-month investigation stemming from Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the league. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, FIle)
NFL suspends Dolphins owner for tampering with Brady, Payton

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 02, 2022 12:28 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (4) and Jacoby Brissett (7) jog during the NFL football team's training camp, Monday, August 1, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Watson was suspended for six games on Monday after being accused by two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct during massage treatments, in what a disciplinary officer said was behavior “more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL.” (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
Browns QB Watson suspended 6 games, NFL weighs appeal

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 01, 2022 08:29 AM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson walks during an NFL football practice in Berea, Ohio, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
AP sources: Decision in Watson discipline case coming Monday

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 31, 2022 07:16 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field after the NFL football team's training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
AP sources: No decision in Watson discipline case this week

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 29, 2022 09:57 AM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, June 27, 2022. Watson, who was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Lawyer: 30 women settle Watson-related claims against Texans

By Juan A. Lozano Jul. 15, 2022 01:44 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Attorneys seek Deshaun Watson NFL investigation documents

Jul. 02, 2022 07:44 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Analysis: Settlement best solution for Deshaun Watson, NFL

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 01, 2022 07:21 PM EDT

FILE - This Dec. 1, 2012 file photo shows a silhouette of a crucifix and a stained glass window inside a Catholic Church in New Orleans. The FBI has opened a widening investigation into sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans going back decades, a rare federal foray into such cases looking specifically at whether priests took children across state lines to molest them, officials and others familiar with the inquiry told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FBI opens sweeping probe of clergy sex abuse in New Orleans

By Jim Mustian Jun. 29, 2022 10:14 AM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, June 27, 2022. Watson, who was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Lawsuit: Texans 'turned a blind eye' to QB Watson's actions

By Juan A. Lozano Jun. 27, 2022 02:39 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
AP sources: Watson to meet with NFL disciplinary officer

By Tom Withers Jun. 25, 2022 06:49 PM EDT

FILE - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner's meeting on March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. The NFL and six of its teams have formally moved in a New York court to force a lawsuit alleging that they engaged in racial discrimination into arbitration where Goodell would be the arbitrator. The league and the teams filed papers Tuesday, June 21, 2022, with a judge presiding over a lawsuit filed by Brian Flores after he was fired in January as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
NFL seeks arbitration for Flores' racial discrimination suit

By Larry Neumeister Jun. 22, 2022 01:36 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Deshaun Watson settles 20 civil suits, faces NFL suspension

By Juan A. Lozano And Rob Maaddi Jun. 21, 2022 12:46 PM EDT

Deshaun Watson settles 20 sexual misconduct lawsuits; Cleveland quarterback still faces 4 other suits, NFL discipline

Jun. 21, 2022 12:36 PM EDT
HOUSTON (AP) — Deshaun Watson settles 20 sexual misconduct lawsuits; Cleveland quarterback still faces 4 other suits, NFL discipline. ...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Deshaun Watson again denies sexual misconduct claims

By Tom Withers Jun. 14, 2022 01:59 PM EDT

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers controlling owner Dean Spanos walks on the field before the team's NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 7, 2021, in Philadelphia. Spanos has been accused of repeated breaches of fiduciary duty and misogynistic behavior in a lawsuit filed by his sister. The filing escalates the ongoing battle among the four Spanos siblings over control of the franchise. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Chargers owner accused by sister of fiduciary mismanagement

By Joe Reedy Jun. 10, 2022 05:21 PM EDT

FILE - Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper watches during warm ups before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. South Carolina’s York County is suing Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper’s companies and the City of Rock Hill for at least $21 million over the failed completion of the team’s proposed $800 million practice facility and headquarters. The structure remains half-built in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with no plans of being finished.(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
Panthers owner sued by York County over practice facility

By The Associated Press Jun. 10, 2022 01:49 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, right, watches as the team goes through drills during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Flores focused on new job with Steelers, not NFL lawsuit

By Will Graves Jun. 08, 2022 01:57 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson stands on the field during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns' Watson named in 24th lawsuit by massage therapists

By Juan A. Lozano And Tom Withers Jun. 06, 2022 02:22 PM EDT