Former NFLPA Leader Joins Firm Boosting NFL Interests: What This Means for Players and the League

NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. is facing scrutiny for working part-time as a consultant for The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm looking to invest in NFL franchises. Howell joined Carlyle in March 2023 and began his role with the NFLPA three months later.

Carlyle is one of the firms approved by the NFL to invest in minority ownership stakes. However, this dual role has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. An NFLPA lawyer advised Howell to step away from Carlyle to avoid any appearance of a conflict, but he chose to stay.

Longtime observers of labor unions express confusion over Howell’s decision. Jim Quinn, a former lead counsel for the NFLPA, noted that past directors typically did not engage in outside work, emphasizing that union leaders must avoid even the appearance of conflict.

Howell’s situation intensified after a recent confidentiality agreement between the union and the NFL, which limited players’ access to a ruling regarding contract negotiations. This ruling found that while there wasn’t enough evidence of collusion among owners, the league’s leadership did push for limits on guaranteed money in contracts.

Moreover, Howell’s past is scrutinized due to a settlement involving his former employer, Booz Allen Hamilton, which paid a hefty fine over accusations of overcharging the government. This history complicates his current role.

With recent actions, including appealing the arbitration ruling and hiring a legal team to examine Howell’s activities, the NFLPA is navigating a turbulent landscape. The board and the players deserve transparency and clarity as these issues unfold.

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