The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has announced that its executive director, Lloyd Howell Jr., is stepping down from his position, effective immediately. This decision was made public through a statement released by the NFLPA on Thursday. Sources familiar with the situation informed The Athletic that the NFLPA executive board is set to convene in the coming days to deliberate on subsequent steps, which may include appointing an interim executive director.
This unexpected move follows a series of criticisms directed at the NFLPA, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest involving Howell. Reports surfaced indicating that the NFLPA had entered into a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to conceal details regarding an arbitration ruling. In his statement, Howell acknowledged, “It’s clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day.” He expressed hope that his resignation would enable the NFLPA to concentrate on its player members as the new season approaches.
Last week, it was reported by ESPN, and confirmed by various sources, that Howell was serving as a paid, part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm authorized by the NFL to seek minority ownership stakes in franchises. Howell began his role at The Carlyle Group in March 2023, prior to his hiring by the NFLPA in June. It’s important to note that the NFL did not approve private equity minority investors until August 2024.
Insiders within the NFLPA noted that union leadership was aware of Howell's consulting position during the hiring process. Members of the NFLPA’s legal team and an independent search firm had vetted Howell’s affiliations to ensure there were no conflicts of interest. When discussions arose regarding the firm’s potential investment in the NFL, it was determined that Howell's role in the aerospace and defense division was sufficiently distanced from the group's dealings with the NFL. The Carlyle Group later clarified that Howell “had no access to information about the NFL.”
In a show of support for Howell, the NFLPA executive committee sent a message to its members asserting their confidence in him. They categorically rejected reports suggesting doubts within the committee or that they had urged Howell to resign. “We believe in and remain committed to working with our Executive Director and other members of the NFLPA staff,” the statement said, emphasizing their dedication to the players' best interests.
Howell's departure comes just two years after he assumed leadership and prior to negotiating his first collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which is set to expire in March 2031. In his statement, Howell reflected on his tenure, stating, “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the NFLPA over the past two years. I will be rooting for the players from the sidelines as loud as ever.”
Howell's exit is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the NFLPA. Recently, reports revealed that the NFLPA had signed a confidentiality agreement with the league, which concealed details of an arbitration ruling that indicated league executives had pressured team ownership to reduce guaranteed player compensation. Although the arbitrator ruled in January that there was insufficient evidence of collusion, the NFLPA plans to appeal this decision.
Moreover, in a separate grievance filed in 2023, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the NFL, which accused the NFLPA of advising players to feign injuries as a negotiation tactic. This grievance was based on comments made by JC Tretter, former union president, suggesting that players could fake injuries to negotiate better contracts.
Howell was the fourth leader of the NFLPA since the league's merger in 1970, succeeding DeMaurice Smith, who led the association from 2009 to 2023. After facing criticism for Smith's leadership during CBA negotiations, the NFLPA sought new leadership and ultimately appointed Howell following a hiring process criticized for its transparency.
Prior to his role at the NFLPA, Howell spent 34 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., where he served as chief financial officer. Despite not having a background in sports, Howell earned his BA in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard.
In a broader context, federal investigators are currently probing certain sports union officials and OneTeam Partners, a company that licenses athletes’ name, image, and likeness rights. The NFLPA holds a 44 percent stake in OneTeam, and concerns have been raised regarding the potential for union officials to profit from this venture. Howell was a board member of OneTeam as part of his NFLPA leadership role, underscoring the complexities surrounding his departure.
As the NFLPA navigates these challenges, the future leadership and direction of the organization will be critical in ensuring the protection and advancement of players’ interests in the league.
