Lloyd Howell Resigns as NFLPA Exec. Dir. Over Conflict of Interest Reports/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lloyd Howell has stepped down as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, citing that his leadership had become a distraction. The move comes amid controversies including a secret consulting role and undisclosed past lawsuit. Howell expressed pride in the union’s progress and emphasized his continued support for NFL players.
NFLPA Leadership Shakeup Quick Looks
- Resignation Reason: Howell says his leadership became a distraction
- Timing: Stepped down immediately, ahead of the 2025 NFL season
- Controversy #1: ESPN revealed Howell’s consulting job with Carlyle Group
- Controversy #2: Confidentiality agreement hiding potential QB salary collusion
- Controversy #3: Report of past sexual discrimination lawsuit surfaced Thursday
- Role Tenure: Howell served as Executive Director since 2023
- Statement Highlight: “I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus”
- NFLPA Mission: Advocates for health, safety, and financial futures of players
- League Ties: Carlyle Group approved to invest in NFL franchise ownership
- Player Reaction: Some reps unaware of Howell’s legal history before election
Lloyd Howell Resigns as NFLPA Exec. Dir. Over Conflict of Interest Reports
Deep Look
July 18, 2025 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a late-night statement Thursday, Lloyd Howell announced his immediate resignation from his roles as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players, marking a stunning end to a short but tumultuous tenure.
Howell, who assumed the position in 2023, stated that his continued presence had become a “distraction to the important work” the union does for its player members. “Our members deserve a union that will fight relentlessly for their health, safety, financial futures, and long-term well-being,” he said.
A Leader Under Scrutiny
The resignation comes amid growing unease over Howell’s part-time consulting role with the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm that is authorized by the NFL to pursue minority ownership in franchises—raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The controversy deepened when ESPN reported that the NFLPA had entered into a confidentiality agreement with the NFL regarding an arbitration ruling on possible collusion among NFL owners over quarterback salaries—a topic of high importance to union members.
Adding further fuel, ESPN revealed Thursday that two player representatives who voted in favor of Howell’s appointment were unaware of a 2011 lawsuit filed against him alleging sexual discrimination and retaliation during his tenure as a senior executive at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Impact on NFLPA
Howell’s resignation throws the NFLPA’s leadership into uncertainty just weeks ahead of the 2025 NFL season. It also highlights the deep need for transparency and ethical standards within the organization as it continues to negotiate labor rights and health protections for its players.
Despite the controversies, Howell highlighted the union’s recent achievements under his leadership and expressed continued support:
“I will be rooting for the players from the sidelines as loud as ever,” he wrote.
The union has not yet named an interim executive director, and it remains unclear who will take the reins next as the NFLPA navigates this unexpected leadership vacuum.
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