NFLPA Places Top Lawyer on Administrative Leave Amid Complaints
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has placed one of its prominent lawyers, Heather McPhee, on paid administrative leave following multiple employee complaints submitted to the union’s human resources department. Sources informed ESPN that the complaints pertain to allegations of bullying, inattentiveness to supervisors’ instructions, and disruptions within the work environment.
McPhee, who has served as associate general counsel for the NFLPA since 2009, contributed to triggering a federal investigation regarding the financial activities of both the NFLPA and the Major League Baseball Players Association concerning OneTeam Partners, a licensing company valued at $2 billion.
Attempts by ESPN to reach McPhee for comment were unsuccessful, and her lawyer, William Pittard, also did not respond. The NFLPA spokesperson refrained from commenting on the personnel situation.
Among those raising concerns about McPhee’s conduct is Matt Curtin, the head of NFL Players Inc., which handles the union’s licensing efforts and holds a board position with OneTeam. Sources indicated that McPhee often voiced criticism towards NFLPA’s recently departed executive director, Lloyd Howell Jr., inside the group’s D.C. headquarters.
Amid an ongoing FBI inquiry pertaining to the unions and OneTeam’s activities, McPhee has already sought legal counsel. Notably, the group-licensing firm is largely owned—44.5%—by the NFLPA.
The specifics of the allegations against McPhee were detailed in a letter issued by the NFLPA’s new interim executive director, David White. The union previously engaged an external firm, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, for investigating the claims against her.
Alongside the federal examination, a separate inquiry into Howell’s leadership and overall governance of the union is being led by Ron Machen, a lawyer from Wilmer Hale. Howell resigned on July 17 following reports detailing his controversial spending of union funds and consulting for firms with connections to NFL team stakes.
