The latest twist in the drama that has consumed the NFL Players Association features a lawyer who reportedly squared off with former executive director Lloyd Howell and is now facing some charges herself.
Heather McPhee, associate general counsel for the NFLPA since 2009, was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after multiple employees filed complaints against her with the union’s human resources department, according to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Jeff Passan.
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McPhee reportedly faces accusations of failing to follow supervisors’ directions, bullying colleagues and disrupting the union’s work environment.
The decision to place her on leave reportedly comes months after her own allegations helped trigger an FBI investigation into the NFLPA, the MLBPA and their OneTeam Partners licensing company. Matt Curtin, the head of the NFLPA’s licensing arm and a member of the OneTeam board, is among those who filed complaints against McPhee.
There were several other problems facing the NFLPA by the time Howell resigned last month, but the only one that prompted action by federal authorities was the OneTeam matter. In June 2024, the eight-member board of directors, which included Howell, signed a resolution that could have personally entitled them to considerable compensation from the OneTeam partnership.
McPhee reportedly wrote multiple memos suggesting the NFLPA could face legal jeopardy if it went through with the bonus plan and urged the union to investigate claims that the board members had allocated equity shares to themselves. The plan ultimately did not go through.
Per The Athletic, OneTeam brought in $101 million for the NFLPA alone from early 2024 into 2025. The NFLPA reportedly owns 44% of the licensing firm, with the MLBPA owning 22% and three other unions representing MLS, the USWNT and WNBA owning much smaller shares. Outside investors make up the remainder of the ownership.
ESPN notes that McPhee has not been deemed a whistleblower in the FBI case, leaving her with fewer legal protections against any retaliation.
The NFLPA has been operating under new leadership since Howell announced his resignation, with former SAG-AFTRA executive director David White acting as interim head.
