The blast radius of the Deshaun Watson saga is now engulfing his former team as the quarterback awaits a potential suspension.

The Houston Texans have been officially added as defendants in the civil trial against Watson.

“Today we filed the first case of what will likely be many against the Houston Texans related to Deshaun Watson’s behavior,” said Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing a group of women who have accused Watson of sexual misconduct. 

“Suffice it to say, the overwhelming evidence collected indicating that the Houston Texans enabled Watson’s behavior is incredibly damning.”

• 20 of the 24 massage therapists represented by Buzbee have reached confidential settlements.
• The Texans helped arrange many of the massages and provided Watson with a nondisclosure agreement following an accusation by one woman.
• Lead detective Kamesha Baker testified that Houston police investigated 10 reports related to Watson’s behavior, and she has no doubt a crime occurred.

Suspension Suspense

Federal judge Sue L. Robinson, who is serving as the disciplinary officer in this case, is set to determine Watson’s punishment for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

The NFL recommended an indefinite suspension of at least one year. Any appeal from Watson or the NFLPA would be judged by league commissioner Roger Goodell or someone appointed by him.

The way the Cleveland Browns structured Watson’s contract may shield him from a financial hit from a potential suspension: His five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract pays him only $1 million in the first year. His cap hit rises from $10 million in the first year to $55 million thereafter.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has launched a bipartisan effort to examine the legality of Major League Baseball’s antitrust exemption — and whether its termination will improve minor league working conditions . 

The committee — chair Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) — penned a letter to Harry Marino, the executive director of Advocates for Minor Leaguers. 

Marino has pressed for improvements in pay and living conditions for players in the MLB farm system.

• In the current setup, rights to players are held for a total of seven years in the minors and seven more if the player reaches the majors — with no option to play elsewhere professionally unless the team releases the player. 
• The salary range for minor league players this season ranges from $4,800 and $15,400.
• The Department of Justice described MLB’s exemption as an “aberration” in a filing as part of a lawsuit over the contraction of 40 teams; MLB assumed control of operations of the minor leagues before the 2021 season.

Not-So-Minor Impact

Marino said that minor league players are “far and away the group most negatively impacted by baseball’s antitrust exemption.” He also noted that MLB owners “should not have a special license to underpay their workers.”

FC Barcelona announced the sale of a 10% stake in its TV rights to private equity firm Sixth Street.

The deal could be worth up to $278 million.

Earlier this month, delegates for the La Liga club approved the cession of up to 25% of income from the rights for 25 years, as well as the sale of a 49.95% share of its licensing and merchandising division. 

The deal will also include streaming rights, though it’s unclear whether the team will sell the remaining 15% of the overall broadcasting rights over the 25 years. The team expected to earn roughly $635 million from the sales.

Before the vote on June 16, reports surfaced that Bank of America was in talks with the team for the rights in a deal valued at $645 million.

FC Barcelona is the latest sports investment for the U.S.-based firm.

• Last month, Sixth Street and Legends entered a 20-year, $381 million agreement with Real Madrid for a 30% stake in future stadium revenue. 
• Sixth Street acquired a majority stake in Legends, a sports experiences and services company, in 2021, which valued the company at $1.35 billion.
• Last year, Sixth Street purchased a reported 20% stake in the San Antonio Spurs.

Private Payments

Barcelona declined an offer to participate in La Liga’s $2.1 billion agreement with CVC Capital Partners, which took an 8.25% stake in the league’s media rights for 50 years. 

“We want to recover this asset,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said.