The NFLPA will soon have a new leader of its labor union.
On Wednesday, the organization revealed that it had elected Llloyd Howell as its new executive director. Howell will be DeMaurice Smith’s successor, who has held the leadership position since being unanimously elected in 2009. Smith will continue to hold the role until sometime near the end of 2024, and then Howell will officially take over.
This is not light news by any means. The leader of the NFL’s only labor union is a significant appointment that can and will likely have a major influence on the league’s dealings. For one, among other essential tasks, it will be Howell at the forefront of the NFLPA’s negotiations by the time the current collective bargaining agreement expires in March 2030. Aside from whoever the NFLPA president is at that time, Howell will be the players’ primary advocate.
And as we’ve seen in the past, lockouts are very possible in those situations, making Howell’s future approach hold that much more weight.
If this is the first time you’re hearing about Powell, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are a few things you should definitely know about the guy who will soon steer the wheel for the NFLPA.
1
He worked over three decades for consulting company Booz Allen Hamilton
Before retiring at the end of 2022, Howell had worked his way up to being Booz Allen Hamilton’s chief financial officer and treasurer. The company had revenue of $8.4 billion by the close of its 2022 financial year last March.
2
He is a Harvard and Penn graduate
Howell has a degree from Penn and received his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard. He serves on the Penn Board of Trustees.
3
He is just the fourth executive director in the NFLPA's history
Howell will follow in the footsteps of Smith (2009-2024), Gene Upshaw (1983-2008), and Ed Garvey (1971-1983).
Despite an extended initial organizing phase, the NFLPA was officially certified in 1971.
4
He has the full endorsement of NFLPA president J.C. Tretter
The free-agent NFL center has been the NFLPA president since 2020 and, after being elected for a second term in 2022, is locked into that position for the foreseeable future.
That makes his endorsement of Howell through a statement — a person he will work very closely with — something to consider.
“We are excited to have Lloyd [Howell] lead our union into its next chapter and succeed DeMaurice Smith, who has ably led our organization for the past decade-plus and has our gratitude and thanks. It was important for us to run a process that lived up to the prestige of the position we sought to fill. The process was 100 percent player-led and focused on leadership competency, skills and experience. Our union deserves strong leadership and a smooth transition, and we are confident Lloyd [Howell] will make impactful advances on behalf of our membership.”
5
Players by and large weren't aware of the process that elected Howell
While NFLPA members like Tretter played a heavy role in appointing Howell, the overall process didn’t appear so transparent.
Per Pro Football Talk, players were apparently “in the dark” about the selection process. Some weren’t even sure a new executive director could be elected without a list of top candidates being shared… with 30 days’ notice.
That is certainly a development to monitor in the future.
