Resignation of NFLPA Leader Lloyd Howell Amid Expense Scandal

In a significant turn of events, Lloyd Howell Jr., the former leader of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), resigned following revelations of questionable expense reports linked to visits to strip clubs. The resignation occurred on the night of Thursday, July 18, 2025, shortly after an outside investigator hired by the union was presented with documents that outlined Howell's financial dealings, including a $738.82 car service that transported him to Tootsie's Cabaret, a well-known strip club in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Howell's abrupt departure has raised serious questions regarding the management of union funds, particularly in light of federal labor laws that govern union expenses. According to Bob Stropp, a respected veteran labor lawyer and former general counsel of the United Mine Workers of America, such expenditures could attract scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Labor. "That's pretty horrible," Stropp stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

The expense reports obtained by ESPN detail two visits to strip clubs by Howell, raising concerns not only about the appropriateness of these expenditures but also about the implications for the NFLPA, which is funded by player dues. Howell, who was paid $3.6 million in 2024, had been under investigation for over a year when the expenses were flagged by a union finance worker who discovered the nature of the charges while reviewing the documents submitted by Howell.

The investigation into Howell's conduct was led by Ronald C. Machen, a lawyer from WilmerHale, who was appointed by a special committee of players amid allegations of financial impropriety. Howell's resignation statement indicated that he believed his leadership had become a distraction from the union's core mission to support its members. "It's clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day," Howell stated.

Historically, Howell's tenure at the NFLPA has not been without controversy. Prior to his resignation, ESPN reported on Howell's connections to a multibillion-dollar group-licensing firm, OneTeam Partners, as well as a confidentiality agreement with the NFL that obscured important arbitration findings from players. These developments, coupled with Howell's previous employment at Booz Allen and the scrutiny he faced regarding past expense reports, have painted a troubling picture of oversight within the NFLPA.

In response to Howell's resignation, the NFLPA's executive committee expressed surprise and disappointment, having attempted to persuade him to remain during a lengthy conference call on the night of his departure. This incident has opened the door for discussions about the need for stricter guidelines regarding union expenses and the accountability of its leadership.

As the NFLPA moves forward without Howell, the implications of this scandal are significant. The union must now address not only the immediate fallout but also the broader questions of governance, transparency, and the long-term trust of its membership. The investigation led by Machen is ongoing, and the outcome could have lasting effects on the NFLPA's structure and operations as it prepares for the upcoming season.