JC Tretter, the former center of the Cleveland Browns and current President of the NFLPA, went on Freakonomics last month. The popular business and economic podcast had the former Browns player on to discuss the workplace conditions of the NFL. Tretter is an alumnus of Cornell University with a degree in Industrial Labor Relations. His impressive credentials helped him secure a win as President during a very heated NFLPA election.
Last offseason the NFLPA conducted its first survey to assess the working conditions of all 32 teams. The survey was conducted by the NFL Players Association to evaluate various aspects of an organization, including physical facilities, nutrition, travel, and treatment of players’ families. The Cleveland Browns ranked 21st in the initial survey, with most complaints revolving around the team’s weight room which takes up a significant portion of their practice field.
Buy Browns TicketsTretter doesn’t discuss the working conditions of the Browns, instead shining a light on the worst grades in the survey. The poor working conditions were shocking and appalling. Tretter recants multiple stories about rat infestations inside some of the premier NFL franchises. Another common complaint Tretter raised was how many teams were forcing their players to pay for the food they ate at the facilities.
Tretter emphasized that the results of the first survey are a starting block for teams and the players’ association. He stated that multiple NFL owners were unaware of how poorly their organization is operating and committed fully to upgrading their facilities and staff. It will be interesting to see how the Browns will move in the rankings. The Haslams have expressed interest in expanding the team’s Berea headquarters.
The Freakonomics episode is a fascinating introduction to the workplace conditions of the NFL. It’s interesting to see how the other side works.
