The NFL has indefinitely suspended Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya and fined him $500,000 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The punishment concludes a years-long investigation stemming from 2023 sexual assault charges in Kentucky, which Loya resolved with a misdemeanor plea in 2024. Loya has had no involvement with the team or league since the charges were filed.
The NFL announced the discipline on Wednesday, following an investigation conducted with the full cooperation of the Houston Texans. The allegations originated from two parties Loya hosted at his Louisville home in 2022. An arrest warrant was issued on May 10, 2023, leading to charges of one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse.
In March 2024, Loya entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor charge of "harassment with intent to annoy" in Kentucky, resulting in the dismissal of the seven felony charges. The NFL's statement detailed: "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 been suspended indefinitely from the League and will be eligible to apply for reinstatement no earlier than June 2026. He also has been fined $500,000. Mr. Loya has no involvement with the club or league affairs since being charged in the spring of 2023."
The Texans issued their own statement supporting the decision: "The Texans cooperated with the NFL's investigation and fully support the suspension of Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners. This behavior has no place in our organization or our community. Since charges were first filed, Mr. Loya has been prohibited from participating in any club or league activities. That will continue indefinitely in accordance with the NFL's decision."
Loya has been a minority owner since the Texans' inaugural season in 2002. This marks the second time he has faced an NFL investigation, following a 2008 probe into high-stakes gambling accusations.
