The NFL has come down hard on the Houston Texans and, specifically, minority owner Javier Loya.
Loya received an indefinite suspension and a fine for violating the NFL’s conduct policy.
Loya has been part of the Texans organization since its inception in 2002. He is the first Hispanic owner in NFL history. His latest transgression stems from a previous incident, which has garnered headlines for the past two years.
Texans’ Javier Loya Fined & Suspended Over Policy Violation
GettySUGAR LAND, TX – MAY 12: Interior designers Javier Loya (L) and Lucinda Loya attend the OMEGA Speedmaster Houston Event at Western Airways Airport Hangar on May 12, 2015 in Sugar Land, Texas. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for OMEGA)
According to The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander, the decision comes “in the wake of a years-long investigation into Loya.” Several women accused Loya of charges including rape and sexual abuse in 2023.
“The NFL has suspended Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya indefinitely and has fined him $500,000, the league said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle on Thursday,” Alexander wrote in an article published on December 11. “The league determined he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy.”
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio noted the situation at the time.
“Javier Loya, a successful Houston businessman and a minority owner of the Texans since 2002, faces multiple criminal charges in Kentucky,” Florio wrote in August 2023.
“PFT has learned that Loya faces one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. Based on public records posted online, the case is set for a pretrial conference on August 22.”
The initial police filings claimed the incident occurred in May 2022.
“Loya … has pleaded guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge of harassment with physical contact,” WDRB’s Jason Riley wrote in April 2024. “Loya … agreed to a sentence of 90 days in jail, which will be conditionally discharged as long as he stays out of trouble for the next two years.
“He entered an Alford plea Monday, meaning he maintained his innocence but acknowledged there was enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty. Loya will not be allowed to have any contact with the victims. He also must pay a $100 fine.”
According to court filings, Loya hired models from an agency to attend a poker party he was hosting. However, upon arrival, the models said there was no party, just Loya and his friends.
Several models reported that Loya spoke and touched them in sexually explicit ways.
NFL, Texans Release Statements
GettyHouston Texans owner Cal McNair looks on against the Buffalo Bills.
Loya’s attorneys have vehemently denied the allegations from the outset. The NFL and the Texans have released statements addressing the matter. Loya himself has yet to comment publicly about it.
The NFL made it clear that Loya can apply for reinstatement not sooner than June 2026.
“In March 2024, Texans minority owner Javier Loya entered an Alford plea in the commonwealth of Kentucky,” the NFL said, per Alexander. “With the full support and cooperation of the Texans, the league has subsequently conducted an investigation, following which the commissioner determined Mr. Loya’s actions violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
“Mr. Loya has no involvement with the club or league affairs since being charged in the spring of 2023.”
In their statement, the Texans, who are majority owned by Cal McNair, said they “cooperated” with the league and “fully support the suspension” of Loya. They also noted that Loya has remained away from the team since the models filed charges.
That will not change for the duration of his suspension.
The Texans said, “This behavior has no place in our organization or our community,” per Alexander. It is unclear if the Texans will look to take further action against Loya.
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