The NFL is dealing with a good ole’ fashioned example of conflicting interests!
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. is [working as a paid, part-time consultant](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45705432/nflpa-head-works-firm-approved-invest-nfl) for The Carlyle Group, one of a select group of league-approved private equity firms that have been seeking minority ownership in the league’s franchises, according to a recent report by ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr.
I can’t imagine folks are too pleased with this recent revelation at 345 Park Avenue…
Howell joined the firm three months before being appointed to his role by the players association, according to the report. The Carlyle Group assigned Howell to its aerospace and defense investment team, so he technically isn’t directly involved in the firm’s talks to acquire a stake in league franchises.
Howell _was_ asked by a senior union lawyer to consider resigning from the private equity firm to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and declined, which longtime union observers and executives said they found “baffling,” according to ESPN.
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It’s an unprecedented position for the union’s lead representative to be in, as Howell’s predecessors, Gene Upshaw and DeMaurice Smith, were not allowed to be paid for outside work, according to the report.
The NFLPA has also been kind of shady in protecting Howell, as the report states they struck a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to keep the details of an arbitration ruling under wraps from players — who they’re supposed to be representing.
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Howell also serves on three boards of directors — GE HealthCare, Moody’s and ManTech — and was paid more than $380,000 in total cash and stocks, according to financial filings that were obtained by ESPN.
Howell was not reached for comments by ESPN.
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What does this all mean?
It’s clear that there’s a conflict of interest in holding positions that are essentially in direct opposition of each other. The NFLPA is literally there to protect players from being taken advantage of and/or deceived by the NFL, and have failed going all the way back to the appointment of Howell.
The NFLPA _is_ appealing the decision in its collusion case against the NFL, which will undoubtedly open up a can of worms moving forward — and could have been avoided by operating with common sense and good intentions. It’s an issue that similar “best-practices” reviews have been brought against the league and its players union at multiple times over the last few decades. Something needs to change.
Featured image via Kirby Lee/Imagn Images