NFLPA Executive Sued by McPhee Over Retaliation, Misconduct, and Federal Investigation

Heather McPhee, associate general counsel for the NFL Players Association since 2009, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that former executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and other top union officials conspired to prevent her from cooperating with a federal investigation into union finances. The suit claims retaliation and misconduct by senior leadership and seeks at least $10 million in damages, according to ESPN reports.

McPhee Placed on Leave, Alleging Retaliation Over Federal Investigation and Executive Misconduct

McPhee was placed on paid administrative leave on August 14 following multiple employee complaints about her behavior, including insubordination, bullying, and disruption in the workplace. She contends that these allegations were a pretext designed to stop her from testifying before a grand jury investigating the NFLPA and MLBPA.

Months before her leave, McPhee raised concerns that triggered an FBI investigation into the NFLPA, MLBPA, and OneTeam Partners, their $2 billion licensing company. She questioned the legality of a senior executive incentive plan and opposed Howell’s decision to conceal a collusion grievance ruling. McPhee claims union leaders targeted her to hide their own alleged misconduct and failures.

Howell’s Resignation and Alleged Misconduct Spark Concerns Over NFLPA Secrecy, Retaliation

Howell resigned as NFLPA executive director on July 17 amid criticism over his handling of collusion grievances and personal spending of union funds. Reports revealed that the NFLPA agreed to keep findings from an arbitrator secret, casting doubt on the union’s transparency. McPhee’s lawsuit alleges Howell’s actions included illegal misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, and other abuses of authority.

The lawsuit states that once union leaders discovered McPhee was poised to testify about criminal activity, she was excluded from meetings and cut off from players and the board. Her administrative leave, McPhee contends, was a calculated effort to prevent her cooperation with the Department of Justice, highlighting broader issues of secrecy, retaliation, and potential violations of labor and fiduciary laws within the NFLPA.