NFL suspends Texans minority owner Javier Loya, fines him $500,000 for violation of league’s personal conduct policyt
HOUSTON – Texans minority owner Javier Loya, as a consequence of an Alford plea to a misdemeanor charge of harassment with intent to annoy in Kentucky, has been officially suspended by the National Football League for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Loya originally faced charges of rape and sexual abuse in Kentucky that were dismissed, per his legal counsel, Andrew J. Sarne.
Loya paid a $100 fine as one count of rape and six charges of sexual abuse were dropped against him by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Loya allegedly hired four female models to work at two parties he held in Kentucky, and he was accused by those women of sexual abuse.
“In March 2024, Texans minority owner Javier Loya entered an Alford plea in criminal proceedings brought against him by the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” an NFL spokesman said in a statement to KPRC 2. “With the full support and cooperation of the Texans, the League subsequently conducted an investigation, following which the Commissioner determined that 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 had no involvement in Club or League affairs since being charged in the spring of 2023.”
Loyathe chairman and CEO of OTC Global Holdings, has been a minority owner of the Texans since the launch of the AFC South franchise in 2002. Loya was initially facing a rape charge, five first-degree sexual abuse charges and one third-degree sexual abuse charge in Kentucky, according to court records.
“The Texans cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and fully support the suspension of Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” the Texans said in a statement to KPRC 2. “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.”
Throughout the case, since being charged by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Loya has denied the rape charges that were ultimately dismissed by the prosecutor.
“I wanted to say this process has taken a very heavy toll on me and my family,” Loya said in a telephone interview with KPRC 2 from Kentucky at the time of the dismissal of the more serious charges. “Once the charges were dropped, I accepted the Alford plea, which allows me to maintain my innocence and put this matter behind me.”
However, the Alford plea didn’t absolve Loya of NFL discipline.
At the outset of the case, Sarne said in a statement to KPRC 2 that Loya voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test regarding the allegations.
Loya entered a not-guilty plea and posted a $50,000 bond on May 16, 2023.
Loya became the NFL’s first Hispanic owner when he purchased a minority stake in the Texans. He is a 1991 Columbia University who played football for the Ivy League school.
Loya, a Houston businessman who is the co-founder of OTC Global Holdings, an independent commodity broker, graduated from Columbia University in 1991, where he also played football. He became the NFL’s first Hispanic owner when he purchased a minority stake in the Texans.
The allegations stemmed from incidents on May 15 and May 16 last year and the accusations were from four women.
If he had been convicted of rape in the first degree, Loya could have faced a sentence ranging from 10 to 20 years imprisonment. If he had been convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree, Loya could have faced a sentence ranging between one and five years. If convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree, Loya could have been sentenced to 90 days imprisonment and a $250 fine. Instead, Loya has paid a $100 fine and agreed to a Class B misdemeanor.
Previously, a civil lawsuit alleging that Loya sexually assaulted a woman was dismissed in Harris County that was seeking $2 million in damages or more.
“We are aware of the serious charges filed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” the Texans said in a statement at the time “We have agreed with Mr. Loya that while these charges are pending, he will remove himself entirely from any team or League activities.”
An NFL spokesman issued the following statement to KPRC 2 regarding this legal matter: “We have been monitoring developments in the matter, which will be reviewed under the Personal Conduct Policy.”
At the time of the accusations first being made public last year, the NFL issued a statement emphasizing that the Texans quickly informed the league about Loya’s legal situation.
“The club promptly notified the league of the serious pending charges against Mr. Loya after they were filed,” an NFL spokesman said in a statement. “Mr. Loya has not been permitted to participate in any league or club activity during this process. He is no longer on any league committees.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
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