The son of Janice McNair, who owns the Houston Texans, is pursuing a $60 million lawsuit against the NFL, alleging “deliberate efforts to silence him,” as indicated by court filings.
Robert Cary McNair Jr. claims the league has sidelined him due to his connections to family business dealings. He argues that the NFL wanted to avoid scrutiny over “decisions” related to high-profile scandals involving prominent players, as stated in documents submitted in Manhattan Supreme Court on Friday.
In his legal statement, he said, “When Cary McNair began raising questions about the NFL’s scandals and personnel, the league worked to mute him.” The legal notice hints at the lawsuit’s direction.
It’s not clear when McNair, now 66, was removed from his role within the family business.
The Texans’ quarterback, Deshaun Watson, made headlines in 2021 with numerous sexual assault allegations, including 22 civil suits. In 2023, Javier Loya, a minor owner of the team, faced rape charges in Kentucky, although those charges were later dismissed as part of a plea deal.
The NFL claims it attempted to resolve issues surrounding McNair Jr. by discussing a restructuring of the McNair Family Business and Trust. This restructuring established Cal McNair, Cary’s brother, as the owner, effectively sidelining Cary from employment within their family enterprise.
McNair Jr. noted in court documents that he has had significant roles cut from McNair-related ventures, stating that he can’t influence NFL matters anymore.
Last year, McNair Jr. made headlines when he tried to gain control over the Houston Texans by involving his mother, Janice, who co-founded the team. He attempted to argue for her mental competency to take over responsibilities at age 88 but dropped the case after a judge refused to mandate a competency evaluation.
The McNair family is estimated to be worth over $7.3 billion. Robert McNair, who passed away in 2018, amassed his wealth in part by selling Cogen Technology to Enron for $1.5 billion back in 1999, the same year he founded the Texans with a $600 million bid.
After his husband’s death, Janice inherited the team, with their son Cal taking on the roles of chairman and CEO. The family also oversees other business interests that Cary Jr. was involved with.
In a separate lawsuit from November 2023, McNair Jr. faced charges of breaching fiduciary duties to the family business by secretly entering into an employment agreement without notifying the board of directors.
The current lawsuit claims against him are considered frivolous, with details of McNair Jr.’s allegations against the NFL expected to be elaborated on next week by his attorney, Tony Buzbee.
Buzbee mentioned, “He’s going to hold anyone accountable who has a duty to oversee these matters,” referring to McNair Jr.’s claims against the NFL regarding his forced silence.
The NFL, along with the interests of McNair and the Houston Texans, has not provided immediate comments on the situation.
