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Lloyd Howell Jr. has stepped down from his role as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), citing that his continued leadership had become a "distraction" to the union's work. The decision follows a flurry of damaging revelations that have cast a long shadow over Howell's two-year tenure.
In a statement released late Thursday, Howell announced his immediate resignation from both the Executive Director position and his chairmanship of the NFLPA Board. "It's clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day," he said. Howell expressed pride in what was accomplished during his leadership and pledged to support the players from the sidelines.
The resignation comes in the wake of serious allegations, including reports that Howell had used union funds for visits to strip clubs. According to ESPN, receipts from a trip to Tootsie's Cabaret in Miami in November 2023 showed expenses for car services and other club-related costs billed to the NFLPA. A second incident involved $2,426 in charges at another establishment during the NFLPA summit in February, including large ATM withdrawals.
Howell's reported salary was between $3.5 million and $4 million, raising questions about the necessity of expensing such trips to the union. However, the strip club controversies were not the only reason for Howell's downfall.
According to multiple reports, Howell also held a part-time consultancy position with The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm reportedly being considered for minority ownership stakes in NFL teams. Critics view this as a blatant conflict of interest, given Howell's responsibility to protect players' interests in negotiations with ownership.
Adding to the concerns, Howell allegedly withheld critical information from players regarding an arbitration ruling about potential collusion among team owners. While the arbitrator found insufficient evidence to prove collusion, it was noted that the league's top counsel and Commissioner Roger Goodell had encouraged owners to limit guaranteed money in quarterback contracts. Though Howell briefed players verbally, he did not share the full report, citing a confidentiality agreement with the NFL.
The NFLPA has yet to comment on Howell's departure. The situation leaves the union at a crossroads, just as preparations for the new NFL season intensify. Howell's resignation may close one chapter, but the questions surrounding transparency, accountability, and conflict of interest within the NFLPA are far from over.
