PHOENIX – When the NFL penalized the Texans for a salary-cap reporting violation involving former Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson and a gym membership, Cal McNair pushed back against the league’s punishment.
The Texans went through an appeals process and were ultimately docked a fifth-round draft pick and given a $175,000 fine after an initial punishment of a fourth-round pick being taken away and a $250,000 fine levied.
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‘We did argue and stated our case several times through the appeals process and there was a little more informal appeals process before the formal appeals process,” the Texans’ chairman and CEO said following the NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. “I made several calls because I felt the penalty was too harsh for what happened. At the end of the day, it is what is and we’re looking forward to having all of this behind us and moving forward.”
The league announced that the team provided Watson with undisclosed compensation with a membership at an off-site athletic facility in 2020 during the COVID year when their facility was closed and he couldn’t work out at NRG Stadium. The amount was $26,777 for the Houstonian membership. The Texans argued that there was no benefit gained by the arrangement, and cooperated with the investigation from the league.
When the league investigated sexual misconduct allegations and civil litigation involving Watson during a personal conduct policy review, the membership to the Houstonian hotel and spa was discovered. This happened prior to Watson finalizing a four-year, $156 million contract. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell affirmed that that was how the information was disclosed.
“It’s an accounting issue,” said a league source, emphasizing that the violation stemmed from the gym membership and how it was related to the financial reporting with the organization.
“During the 2020 league year and while its facilities were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club absorbed $26,777 in costs for player benefits for the use of alternate athletic facilities, which it understands should have been charged instead to player salaries,” the Texans said in a statement to KPRC 2. “The Club has fully cooperated with the League in its investigation of these matters and maintains that it had no intention to circumvent any salary cap rules or gain any sort of competitive advantage. While we disagree with the League’s ruling, we will accept the imposed discipline and move forward.”
According to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, NFL teams have to report any player compensation or benefit.
Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns last year and signed to an unprecedented $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
