The secret NFL ruling that’s turning players against their union: Here’s what happened
A confidential ruling, a $230M contract, and a silent union - here’s what really happened between the NFL and NFLPA and why it has players in an uproar.
A recent podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out” blew the lid off of a 61-page ruling that the NFL and NFLPA kept secret from the players, leaving them stunned.
“Dicey”: Why NFL players are calling out their own union
The arbitration ruling, issued on January 14, 2025, found that while there was insufficient evidence of collusion among NFL owners to suppress quarterback salaries, Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL general counsel Jeff Pash had encouraged teams to limit guaranteed contracts after Deshaun Watson’s $230 million deal- a potential violation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
This decision was kept secret from players for nearly six months until the podcast leak revealed it, causing significant backlash. Players were surprised and confused, especially since the union leadership, under executive director Lloyd Howell Jr., did not disclose the findings or distribute the ruling to player representatives, despite longstanding practice and CBA rules requiring transparency.
The NFLPA only decided to appeal the ruling this week, well past the typical 10-day deadline - an extension seemingly permitted by the confidentiality agreement. The union is now facing internal scrutiny, including a legal review of Howell’s leadership and concerns about its involvement in OneTeam Partners, a licensing firm under federal investigation.
The unusual confidentiality agreement signed by the NFL and the NFLPA hid the details of the collusion ruling from the players. Now, nearly six months later, the union is appealing the ruling, 15 days after @PabloTorre made it public.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) July 9, 2025
Critics, including player agents and former union leaders, condemned the lack of transparency, with some calling the agreement a betrayal of player interests. Executive committee member Cameron Heyward called the situation “dicey”, refusing (like other members) to speak publicly on the matter. Meanwhile, the NFL is seeking over $12 million in legal fees from the union related to the case.
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