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          Josh Brown added to commissioner's exempt list; what does it mean?

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          What does being on the Commissioner's Exempt List mean? (2:05)

          ESPN's Anita Marks explains what it means for Josh Brown to be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List and breaks down the Giants' role. (2:05)

          • Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff WriterOct 21, 2016, 07:45 PM
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              Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN.
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          The NFL will place New York Giants place-kicker Josh Brown on the commissioner's exempt list Friday, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, amid new revelations about domestic violence involving his ex-wife. Here's what you need to know about the move.

          What is the commissioner's exempt list?

          In the context of the NFL's personal conduct policy, the list is a vehicle for putting a player on paid leave while it conducts an investigation into allegations of impermissible behavior. The player does not count against the 53-man roster but continues to receive most of his salary.

          Brown's base salary for this season is $1.225 million, which breaks down to $72,058 per game.

          What can -- and can't -- a player on the commissioner's list do while on paid leave?

          He can't play in or attend games. But with the team's permission, Brown can be present at the team's facility on a reasonable basis for meetings, individual workouts, therapy, rehabilitation and other permitted non-football activities.

          How long can a player remain on the list?

          For as long as the NFL takes to conduct an investigation and determine whether discipline is necessary. The point is to keep the player off the field, and out of the public eye, until an objective determination can be made.

          Is this the "Adrian Peterson list"?

          Yes. You probably first heard the term in 2014, when the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings found a way to get Peterson off the field amid child abuse allegations. Peterson remained on the list for nine weeks until the NFL suspended him without pay for the remainder of the season.

          Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Greg Hardy was placed on the commissioner's list soon after Peterson in 2014; he had been convicted on two counts of domestic violence. (The verdict was dismissed on appeal.) Hardy, however, remained on the commissioner's list until the NFL handed down a 10-game suspension the next spring. That penalty was reduced to four games on appeal.

          So what's next for Brown?

          His career might be over.

          The Giants have pledged to continue helping him through therapy, but they have signed veteran Robbie Gould to replace him as their place-kicker. The NFL could add more time to a one-game suspension he has already served. But according to Mortensen, Brown won't kick again for the Giants. It's difficult to imagine another team signing him anytime soon.