Lloyd Howell Jr., the head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), has resigned following allegations of inappropriate expenses related to visits to strip clubs. An outside investigator found documents showing Howell billed the union for multiple dinner and entertainment expeditions. This disclosure raised serious questions from the players and an outraged public. To that effect, Howell has submitted his resignation, effective immediately. This decision, NFLPA’s leadership transition, and NFLPA’s continued focus on its mission should serve to quell mounting criticism of leadership accountability.
The probe revealed that Howell and a timeshare senior vice president made trips to a Manhattan strip club in 2015. They generated huge bills for things like recreation while on their trip. According to reports, Howell cost taxpayers by using two “VIP rooms” on this visit, which drove high costs up even further. ESPN’s publicly available expense reports document a second case, involving Howell and two other union staffers. What’s more, they regularly stopped at a strip club along the way in Atlanta. Howell’s March 23 expense report, Howell approved one final charge for $736. This first payment closed the gap for both private areas set aside for Player Members.
On November 2, 2023, a car service picked Howell up at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The car’s initial destination was a Miami Gardens home. Only later was it revealed to be Tootsie’s Cabaret, a well-known entertainment and nightlife venue in the area. The driver used an elevator to take Howell straight to his high-rise condo. With dreamy views of the Atlantic Ocean, this jaw-dropping mansion in the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach could be yours. Howell, who bought the three-bedroom unit for $6.8 million, has lived in Miami since 2019.
The controversy wasn’t only about past spending. Howell’s moves at the NFLPA summit on February 21 were met with devastating criticism. As part of this event, Howell took employees to Magic City strip club, racking up charges of $2,426. One of those expenses was for cash withdrawals of $200-$525 made from an ATM inside the gentlemen’s club. Records show that four of these withdrawals triggered the state’s version of “red flags,” signaling potential misuse of funds and violations of reimbursement procedures.
In light of these findings, the NFLPA’s special committee engaged Ronald C. Machen, a lawyer from Wilmer Hale, to investigate Howell’s activities comprehensively. Howell’s resignation statement addressed the situation directly, acknowledging that his leadership had become a distraction from the union’s core objectives.
“It’s clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day.” – Lloyd Howell
He further stated, “For this reason, I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the NFLPA and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players effective immediately.” Howell expressed hope that his departure would allow the NFLPA to refocus on its player members as they approach the upcoming season.
“I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus on its player members ahead of the upcoming season.” – Lloyd Howell
Howell’s sudden resignation has set off political fireworks. The NFLPA is asking for trouble now with continuing issues that will hamper its ability to restore integrity and transparency to its operations. Members of the Executive Committee expressed a belief that things were going well with the investigation so far.
“We felt great about the process,” – Executive Committee Member
Howell continues to have an important presence in professional football. His actions have done so, the questions raised are critical ones to ask around democracy and governance within sports associations. His subsequent role as a paid part-time consultant for the Carlyle Group—a private equity firm interested in acquiring NFL teams—has drawn attention as stakeholders evaluate potential conflicts of interest.
The NFLPA is facing heightened scrutiny to clean up its governance and spending habits. This increased scrutiny has occurred at a time where players have been calling for additional representation and transparency. This idea has to move beyond the organization and really take action to make change happen. Holding itself accountable through independent review is essential to restoring the confidence of its members.
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