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Kalyn Kahler
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Don Van Natta Jr.
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Don Van Natta Jr.
ESPN Senior Writer
- Co-host and executive producer of ESPN’s new series, “Backstory.”
- Part of three Pulitzer Prize-winning teams for journalism.
- Author of three books, including the New York Times bestseller “First Off the Tee.”
- Holds a 24-year career in journalism at The New York Times and Miami Herald.
Lloyd Howell Jr. Resigns as NFLPA Executive Director
Lloyd Howell Jr., the executive director of the NFL Players Association, announced his resignation on Thursday after a turbulent two-year period in office.
In a statement released by the union, Howell, 59, expressed that his leadership became a distraction to the vital functions of the NFLPA. “I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down effective immediately,” he stated, hoping this move would allow the union to concentrate on its players ahead of the upcoming season.
Sources revealed to ESPN that Howell’s decision to resign was his own and caught some members of the NFLPA’s executive committee off guard. He had been appointed to the position after a lengthy 16-month search and was previously the chief financial officer at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Scrutiny and Investigations
Howell’s leadership faced scrutiny following various reports, including an investigation by the FBI into the NFLPA’s financial dealings concerning a group-licensing firm known as OneTeam Partners. This prompted the NFLPA to engage Ronald C. Machen from the law firm Wilmer Hale to review Howell’s actions during his tenure, with investigations ongoing.
Additionally, Howell was recently reported to be working as a part-time consultant for the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm involved in NFL team ownership pursuits. Sources indicated he was advised to resign due to potential conflicts of interest but decided to conduct further evaluations before making a move.
Confidential Agreements and Lawsuits
Reports also surfaced that Howell entered into a confidentiality agreement with the NFL that concealed details of an arbitration decision regarding player compensation from the union members. The ruling was later made public by the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
Moreover, Howell faced a lawsuit for sexual discrimination and retaliation in 2011 while at Booz Allen. Questions arose about whether the players who voted for his role as NFLPA chief were informed of this lawsuit prior to his election.
Despite recent developments, some executive board members had previously expressed strong support for Howell. They noted the deliberate process followed in his selection and stated they were fully backing him. Moving forward, the executive committee is in discussions with player representatives to determine the next actions, which may include appointing an interim director.
Howell succeeded DeMaurice Smith, who led the NFLPA from 2009 to 2023, and the union represents nearly 2,000 professional football players.
