There have been further changes within the leadership of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). JC Tretter, the Chief Strategy Officer, is preparing to resign amid controversy surrounding the hiring of former NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell, who stepped down on July 18th. Tretter told CBS Sports that the recent developments have been challenging for his family and stated he is not interested in pursuing the executive director position or continuing with the NFLPA, as he feels there is nothing left for him in the organization.
Tretter, a former NFLPA president, was instrumental in appointing Howell in 2023. Howell faced criticism after the NFLPA and the league defended a confidentiality agreement linked to arbitration awards about a potential farming conspiracy involving ESPN reports. It was also revealed Howell held a part-time consulting role with Carlisle Group, a private equity firm approved for minority ownership in an NFL franchise. Additionally, player representatives who supported Howell for the executive director role were reportedly unaware of a 2011 lawsuit against him for sexual discrimination and retaliation while he was a senior executive at Booz Allen.
Though Tretter supported the selection process that led to Howell’s appointment, he shared he had voted for former SAG-AFTRA director David White along with 10 other Executive Committee members, but White was rejected by the board. Tretter emphasized that they wanted the board to make the final decision if Howell was the best candidate, without pushing the process. Before his resignation, Tretter was considered a leading contender for interim executive director, alongside current Senior Director Don Davis.
Fan Take: This leadership shakeup in the NFLPA is significant because it highlights internal struggles that could impact player representation and negotiations with the league. For NFL fans, strong and transparent leadership in the NFLPA is crucial to ensure that players’ interests are protected, which ultimately affects the quality and integrity of the game on the field.
