NFLPA Exec Dir Lloyd Howell Jr. is working as a paid, part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group, one of a select group of league-approved private equity firms “now seeking minority ownership in NFL franchises,” according to sources cited by Van Natta Jr. & Kahler of ESPN.com. Howell joined the firm in March 2023, “three months before the NFLPA hired him.” According to sources, a senior union lawyer spoke with Howell in September about “whether it was appropriate for him to continue working as an operations executive in The Carlyle Group’s aerospace and defense investment team.” Sources said that the lawyer asked Howell to “consider resigning” to avoid the “appearance of a conflict of interest.” Sources noted that Howell “declined to step away from Carlyle.” A Carlyle Group spokesperson said that Howell had “disclosed his work at the NFLPA to the firm” and that he has had “no involvement in the business or internal communications around the firm’s NFL approval process or any of the firm’s investment activities related to the NFL.” Howell has come “under increased scrutiny in recent weeks on multiple fronts.” The union “struck a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to keep the details of a January arbitration ruling under wraps from players.” Sources also said that the union last month hired Ronald Machen of law firm Wilmer Hale to work with a special committee of players to “review Howell’s activities as the executive director.” This was “triggered” by reports in May that the FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating the union’s financial dealings related to a multibillion-dollar group-licensing firm, OneTeam Partners (ESPN.com, 7/10).
Report: NFLPA boss Howell working for private equity firm approved to invest in NFL
