Lloyd Howell Jr.’s Consulting Role Under Scrutiny
Lloyd Howell Jr., the executive director of the NFL Players Association, is facing heightened scrutiny following a report by ESPN. It has come to light that he has been working as a paid part-time consultant for the Carlisle Group, which is one of the equity firms approved by the league to pursue minority stakes in NFL teams.
Howell began his association with the Carlisle Group in March 2023, just three months prior to his appointment as the NFLPA Executive Director, as reported. This arrangement has raised questions regarding potential conflicts of interest.
A senior attorney within the players union reportedly suggested that Howell consider stepping down from his consulting position with the Carlisle Group to prevent any perceived conflicts, although some aspects of the situation remain complicated. Various sources have come forward disputing the need for his resignation, according to additional reports.
Interestingly, an NFLPA source expressed concerns about the portrayal of Howell refusing to comply with the union’s legal team’s recommendation. Moreover, some sources stated they were unaware of any such discussions regarding his resignation.
It appears Howell met with the NFLPA’s legal team and representatives from the Carlisle Group, and they appeared to agree that his role in the aerospace and defense sectors provides sufficient separation from the NFL-related activities.
A spokesperson from Carlyle stated that Howell was not privy to information regarding NFL operations due to strict information barriers. Furthermore, Carlyle was reportedly not informed of the union attorneys’ demand for Howell’s resignation from the firm.
Another source noted that Howell recalls only concerns raised by “union employees,” and he indicated he would perform due diligence before deciding on his future with the Carlisle Group.
In light of these developments, Howell has refrained from commenting on the matter.
This situation follows a period of scrutiny for NFLPA executives after revelations that the union had secured a confidential agreement with the NFL to keep details hidden concerning the arbitration decision from players in January. The arbitrators found no substantial evidence of a conspiracy among league owners, despite a significant decision regarding a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million made in 2022.
The ruling indicated that there was a “clear advantage in the evidence,” showcasing that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league counsel were under the impression the owners aimed to limit the guaranteed amounts on player contracts.
Additionally, the NFLPA recently hired attorney Ronald Machen from the law firm WilmerHale, which seems to be linked to Howell’s activities following reports of an ongoing federal investigation into union financial transactions.
