NFLPA updates leadership amid FBI probe

The NFL Players Association placed associate general counsel Heather McPhee on paid administrative leave after employee complaints and an ongoing federal inquiry tied to OneTeam Partners.

NFLPA places top lawyer on leave amid FBI investigation

Heather McPhee, associate general counsel since 2009, was put on paid administrative leave after multiple staff members filed complaints with the union's human resources department. Five sources told ESPN that the concerns include failing to follow supervisor directions and alleged bullying that disrupted the work. The move follows months of scrutiny tied to OneTeam Partners, the licensing firm in which the NFLPA holds a 44.5 percent stake. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe was hired to investigate the allegations.

The inquiry intersects with a federal investigation into the relations between the two unions and OneTeam, and the scope remains unclear. Howell resigned after reports about the use of union funds and related consulting work. David White, the new interim executive director, oversees governance issues while the union conducts outside reviews. The NFLPA declined to comment on personnel matters, and no public statement has clarified the findings or the next steps for McPhee or others involved. The situation comes as players and league partners watch closely for how governance and accountability are handled at the professional level.

This case shows how power, money, and governance collide inside large player unions. When a licensing firm like OneTeam is partly owned by the union, questions about conflicts of interest move from the boardroom to the newsroom. Hiring an outside firm signals an effort to separate conclusions from the room, but real impact will depend on access and transparency in the findings. A leadership change at the top creates a pause that could slow reforms or fuel more questions.

Beyond the legal probes, this is a test of trust for players, sponsors, and fans. If decision making looks rushed or opaque, the public may doubt promises of accountability. The true test will be whether the union can treat personnel issues apart from the FBI inquiry and show a clear path to stronger governance.

Highlights

The coming weeks will reveal how the unions address accountability