Lloyd Howell Jr., the executive director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), abruptly resigned, marking one of the most embarrassing financial scandals in recent NFL history. ESPN’s explosive reporting revealed that Howell charged union-funded expenses at two infamous strip clubs—totaling over $3,000. This shocking development, which unfolded rapidly across sports media, exposed deep-seated financial mismanagement within a union trusted by nearly 2,000 NFL players.
Howell’s resignation didn’t come quietly; it left behind significant questions about union governance, transparency, and financial accountability in the organization managing an annual budget of roughly $250 million.
🔍 The Scandal Unveiled: From Miami to Magic City
The dominoes began falling when a union finance staffer flagged a suspicious expense report from November 2, 2023. The document detailed a $738.82 luxury car service that transported Howell from Fort Lauderdale International Airport directly to Tootsie’s Cabaret in Miami Gardens, where he reportedly spent nearly eight hours before being dropped off at his Sunny Isles Beach condominium at 6:00 a.m. the next morning.
Months later, during the NFLPA Summit in February 2025, Howell escalated his questionable spending. Accompanied by two union staffers, he racked up a staggering $2,426 tab at Atlanta’s infamous Magic City, which included multiple cash ATM withdrawals inside the club.
These revelations, uncovered through meticulous investigative work by Ronald C. Machen, a former U.S. attorney hired to review union expenses, painted a stark picture of an executive who treated union funds recklessly.
Veteran labor lawyer Bob Stropp was explicit in condemning the actions, calling Howell’s use of union dues “pretty horrible” and “unbelievable.” Stropp stressed that such blatant misuse directly violates federal labor laws designed to protect union members and their hard-earned money.
💸 Inside Howell’s Lucrative NFLPA Compensation and Controversial Background
Appointed in June 2023 after a secretive 16-month hiring process conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates, Howell entered the NFLPA without prior sports-related experience. Instead, he carried an extensive corporate background, having served 34 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, eventually becoming its Chief Financial Officer. The NFLPA rewarded his experience generously, paying him $3.34 million in his first full year—a salary comparable to star NFL players.
But Howell’s corporate past wasn’t without blemishes. A previously undisclosed 2011 sexual discrimination lawsuit, settled quietly in 2015, revealed troubling allegations that Howell excluded female colleagues from client meetings and made derogatory comments about women in finance. Shockingly, many NFLPA player representatives were unaware of this lawsuit during the hiring process, raising significant concerns about the vetting process.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Howell also maintained a part-time consulting position with The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm with explicit NFL investment ties. This dual role triggered widespread concern about conflicts of interest, undermining Howell’s credibility as an advocate for players.
🚨 NFLPA Leadership’s Reaction and Fallout
Initially, the NFLPA’s 10-person executive committee rallied behind Howell, publicly backing his leadership just days before his resignation. However, as details emerged about Howell’s reckless spending at adult venues, support evaporated rapidly.
Former NFL quarterback and media personality Robert Griffin III voiced players’ frustrations publicly on social media:
“Instead of working to get players guaranteed contracts and lifetime health benefits, Lloyd Howell was using NFLPA funds to visit strip clubs and get VIP rooms at Magic City.”
Howell, in his resignation letter, admitted his leadership had become a “distraction” from the union’s core mission, which he described as protecting players’ “health, safety, financial futures, and long-term well-being.” His resignation sent the union scrambling, as they have yet to name an interim director, leaving the organization leaderless amid growing player outrage.
📉 The Confidentiality Agreement That Damaged Player Trust
Amid Howell’s tumultuous tenure, a critical arbitration ruling occurred in January 2025, when arbitrator Christopher Droney reviewed allegations that NFL owners colluded to suppress guaranteed player contracts after the historic $230 million Deshaun Watson deal. Although Droney found insufficient proof of outright collusion, he revealed that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and general counsel Jeff Pash explicitly urged teams to limit guaranteed contracts.
Howell, however, agreed to a confidentiality clause that concealed this vital information from NFL players, further undermining trust. Prominent NFL agent David Ginsberg criticized the secrecy, saying:
“The union should not be conspiring together to keep important information from the players.”
The NFLPA eventually appealed the ruling, but only after ESPN brought the confidentiality agreement to public attention. Analysts argued the delayed transparency potentially cost NFL players hundreds of millions of dollars in future contract negotiations.
🕵️ Federal Investigations Expose Deeper NFLPA Problems
The strip club scandal wasn’t the only red flag during Howell’s tenure. In May 2025, reports surfaced of an ongoing federal investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office into the NFLPA’s dealings with OneTeam Partners, a lucrative licensing firm co-founded by multiple sports unions in 2019.
The NFLPA holds a sizable 44% stake in OneTeam, which generates hundreds of millions annually. Investigators are now probing potential financial conflicts involving senior union officials—including Howell himself—raising serious questions about whether NFLPA leaders profited personally at the expense of player interests.
💰 Examining the NFLPA’s Financial Practices and Mismanagement
The NFLPA’s annual budget stands between $200–$250 million, funded largely through player dues ($22,500–$30,000 annually per player), licensing revenue (including the lucrative EA Sports Madden NFL deal), and CBA distributions tied directly to the NFL’s massive annual revenue ($20+ billion).
Given this substantial financial responsibility, oversight must be meticulous. Yet, as evidenced by Howell’s strip club spending, oversight was severely lacking. Federal labor laws mandate that all union expenditures directly benefit members—rules Howell blatantly disregarded. A former NFLPA employee described Howell’s expenses bluntly to ESPN:
“I don’t think anyone in their right mind would think that is an optically good scenario.”
The lack of oversight extended beyond strip clubs. The NFLPA’s delayed response to red flags and late hiring of external auditors like Machen and Linklaters indicated a troubling reactive, rather than proactive, financial management approach.
🔄 Repairing Trust: NFLPA’s Path Forward
With Howell out, the NFLPA faces a critical moment for reform. Players demand greater transparency, accountability, and stronger financial oversight. Recommendations from industry experts include:
- Immediate ban on union-funded personal entertainment expenses.
- Mandatory pre-approval for all expenses over $500.
- Regular independent audits to ensure compliance.
- Transparent hiring processes with full disclosure of executive backgrounds.
- A player-led financial oversight committee.
These steps, already standard at other sports unions such as the NBPA and NHLPA, could prevent future scandals.
📌 The Distinct Athlete Angle
The Lloyd Howell scandal highlights a significant challenge athletes face: trusting institutions explicitly designed to protect their interests. While NFL stars battle for guaranteed contracts, retirement benefits, and health protections, this scandal reveals troubling negligence within the very organization pledged to fight for them.
Howell’s $6–$7 million earnings over two years contrasted sharply against his $3,000 strip club indulgences, providing a stark symbol of misplaced priorities. NFL athletes deserve leaders focused solely on advocacy, transparency, and accountability—not personal indulgences at their expense.
Distinct Athlete will continue spotlighting such critical stories, reminding players and fans alike that accountability is essential at every level of professional sports.
💬 Join the Conversation
Can the NFLPA recover from Lloyd Howell’s scandal, or is broader reform needed? Share your views with us on Instagram, Facebook, and X @DistinctAthlete.
