As long as you're on the Commissioner's Exempt list, it's paid leave. Think of it like a cop being put on "paid administrative leave" while a gun incident is reviewed.

Once an actual suspension is handed down, the suspension itself is unpaid. So let's say he misses this Sunday while on the Exempt list (i.e., no decision yet). He then, next Tuesday, is officially suspended for 3 games. So, that means, no pay for 3 games.

HOWEVER: For the purposes of the suspension, last Sunday's game that he missed (because he was on the Exempt list) counts as one of the 3 games he is suspended for (i.e, he only has to miss two more games). But, he has already been paid for a game (last Sunday) that he now is considered to have been suspended for. So, he now has to give back the salary for that game.

Was that a clear explanation? Or did I make it even more confusing (as I frequently seem to do...)?