Retired federal judge and independent discipline officer, Sue L. Robinson, delivered the ruling on Monday, ESPN reported.
CNN has reached out to the NFL, NFLPA and Browns for comment.
Robinson heard about Watson’s case in late June and was appointed jointly by both the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Either party can now appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in writing within three working days, according to the NFL. Goodell or his designee will issue a “written resolution that constitutes a complete, final and complete resolution of the dispute and will be binding on the player,” per the CBA.
On Sunday night, the NFLPA and Watson issued a joint statement, saying they would not appeal, regardless of the decision, and asking the NFL to do the same.
Watson did not play last season when he was a member of the Houston Texans due to investigations into allegations of misconduct including sexual assault and harassment involving more than two dozen women.
Watson, who traded with Brown in March, has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
In June, Watson settled 20 of 24 lawsuits brought by women for misconduct, according to the attorneys for 24 defendants.
In July, 30 women who “filed or intend to file lawsuits” against the Houston Texan Organization over allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson settled their lawsuits, according to a release from plaintiffs’ attorney Tony Busby and a statement issued by Houston Texans Estate.
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