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Deshaun Watson’s sexual misconduct hearing is set to begin and the National Football League is preparing to make its case for one of the stiffest suspensions in the sport’s history.⁠ ⁠ The NFL is pushing for an indefinite suspension that would last no shorter than one year for Watson, people familiar with the matter said. That would mean he would be out for one season, at least, before he could apply to be reinstated. ⁠ ⁠ A resolution on his future in the league is expected in the coming days, more than a year since the first allegations against Watson surfaced. The people familiar with the case anticipate an outcome the week of July 4, although there remains a chance of it coming sooner. His arbitration hearing is scheduled to begin this upcoming week. ⁠ ⁠ The NFL Players Association and Watson’s lawyers, meanwhile, are preparing to vigorously fight such a tough ban of the embattled Cleveland Browns quarterback. Watson has been accused by dozens of women of sexual assault or other forms of misconduct during massage therapy sessions. Watson, who has denied any wrongdoing, settled 20 of the 24 civil suits against him in the last week. ⁠ ⁠ Watson’s is the first case under the NFL’s new collectively bargained personal conduct policy, which places the initial ruling in the hands of a neutral arbitrator. In this case, that is former U.S. District Court judge Sue Robinson, who was picked mutually by the league and the players’ union. If she determines Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy and suspends him, either side can appeal the length of that suspension to commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates. ⁠ ⁠ Read more at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Photo: Nick Cammett/Getty Images