On Friday night, player representatives from all 32 NFL teams, along with several additional voices, convened on a conference call to deliberate on the future leadership of the NFL Players’ Association (NFLPA). This crucial meeting came in the wake of the resignation of former executive director Lloyd Howell, prompting discussions around the potential candidates who could take the helm of the organization.
Based on the discussions held during the call, the race for the next executive director is reportedly narrowing down to two main candidates: JC Tretter, who has garnered the majority of support among players, and Don Davis, who has also received a notable push from various league sources. While no definitive timeline has been established for appointing an interim executive director, a high-ranking official within the NFL offices indicated that the individual selected for this temporary role is unlikely to be promoted to the full-time position.
This perspective arises from the belief that the NFLPA is eager to distance itself from the leadership style previously exhibited by Howell and Tretter. Nonetheless, Tretter's strong support during the call illustrates that he remains a significant contender for leading the organization into its future.
To determine a recommendation for the interim executive director, the 32 player representatives will cast their votes. However, the final decision will rest with the NFLPA's executive committee, which consists of 11 players. It's worth noting that there is currently no established timetable for the election of a full-time executive director, leaving some uncertainty in the leadership transition.
During the Friday call, it became evident that many players had not been closely following recent developments within the union. This lack of awareness led to a surge of questions and discussions aimed at catching up on various issues affecting the NFLPA.
Lloyd Howell announced his resignation from the executive director position on Thursday night after a series of investigative reports unveiled controversial actions during his tenure. Reports from ESPN, Pro Football Talk, and “Pablo Torre Finds Out” highlighted significant allegations, including the NFLPA's agreement to a confidentiality arrangement with the NFL to conceal details surrounding an arbitration decision. Additionally, concerns arose regarding a potential conflict of interest linked to Howell’s consulting work for a private equity group, which had received league approval for a minority ownership stake.
In parallel, federal investigators have been looking into certain officials within sports unions, including the NFLPA, as well as OneTeam Partners, a company that manages athletes’ name, image, and likeness rights. The NFLPA holds a 44% stake in OneTeam, which is co-owned by five sports unions. An insider within the NFLPA has expressed worries that some union officials may profit from their involvement with OneTeam, prompting the NFLPA to hire an external firm for a thorough investigation last winter.
At that time, Howell was serving as a board member of OneTeam, a position he held while leading the NFLPA. Howell's appointment in 2023 had already drawn criticism due to the perceived lack of transparency during the search process for a new executive director.
Before assuming the leadership role at the NFLPA, Lloyd Howell spent 34 years at Booz Allen, including a tenure as the chief financial officer. Interestingly, like his predecessor, DeMaurice Smith, Howell did not come from a background in sports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.
As the NFLPA navigates this challenging transition in leadership, the outcomes of the ongoing discussions and investigations will be pivotal in shaping the future of the organization and its relationship with players.
