The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has terminated veteran lawyer Heather McPhee following her recent lawsuit against the union and several top executives. This dismissal was officially documented in a federal court filing made on December 30, 2023. McPhee’s lawsuit claims that the NFLPA conspired to prevent her from cooperating with a federal criminal investigation into the union’s finances.
McPhee, who has served as the NFLPA’s associate general counsel since 2009, was placed on paid administrative leave last August. This action followed her concerns regarding alleged misconduct by union leaders. In her legal complaint, she asserts that executives sought to inhibit her testimony before a federal grand jury that is currently investigating both the NFLPA and the Major League Players Association.
In the lawsuit, McPhee alleges serious charges including illegal misconduct, sex discrimination, breach of fiduciary duty, and retaliation. The legal action comes as she prepares to become a key witness in the ongoing criminal inquiry led by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.
The NFLPA has not publicly commented on McPhee’s termination. Union spokesman Brandon Parker stated that the organization does not discuss personnel matters. McPhee did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit follows a tumultuous period for the NFLPA, particularly surrounding former executive director Lloyd Howell Jr.. In July 2023, Howell resigned after reports surfaced indicating he had misused union funds for personal expenses, including payments for car services to strip clubs.
McPhee’s allegations also include claims against current NFLPA executives such as Tom DePaso, the long-serving union general counsel, and Matt Curtin, who was appointed by Howell and serves as president of Players Inc., the NFLPA’s licensing arm.
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, sources have reported that Craig Jones, a veteran security and operations employee at the NFLPA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., has also been placed on administrative leave. This action reportedly stems from complaints related to his discussions with an ESPN reporter concerning Howell’s controversial use of union resources.
Jones has indicated that he faced reprimands for speaking with the media, emphasizing in an email that all interactions with the press should go through the NFLPA’s communications office. His comments were made in the context of a broader criticism of the union culture, which he described as being influenced by personal interests.
Current Developments
As the legal battles continue, the NFLPA is seeking to seal parts of McPhee’s complaint, which has been publicly available for over a month. Parker declined to provide details regarding the reasons for this request, adding to the ongoing intrigue surrounding the case.
The situation has attracted significant attention, not only because of the serious allegations of misconduct within a high-profile sports organization but also due to the potential implications for the NFLPA’s governance and integrity. With McPhee’s lawsuit and the subsequent firing, the spotlight is now firmly on the union as it navigates these challenging allegations and the fallout from its internal decisions.
This series of events marks a critical moment for the NFLPA, as it confronts accusations that could reshape its leadership and operational transparency in the coming months.
