A fresh development has surfaced within the ongoing saga surrounding the NFL Players Association, involving an attorney who reportedly clashed with previous executive director Lloyd Howell and is now contending with accusations.
Heather McPhee, who has served as associate general counsel for the NFLPA since 2009, was placed on paid administrative leave on Tuesday. This action followed the submission of grievances by multiple employees to the union’s human resources department, according to reports from ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Jeff Passan.
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Reportedly, McPhee is accused of disobeying directives from superiors, engaging in intimidating behavior toward colleagues, and causing disruptions to the union’s operational environment.
The decision to place her on leave reportedly follows accusations that she made which played a part in starting an FBI investigation into the NFLPA, the MLBPA, and their associated OneTeam Partners licensing company. Matt Curtin, who leads the NFLPA’s licensing division and serves on the OneTeam board, is among those who reportedly lodged complaints against McPhee.
The NFLPA isn’t getting any less messy. (Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
By the time Howell stepped down from his position last month, the NFLPA was grappling with several challenges. However, the OneTeam issue was the sole matter that spurred intervention from federal authorities. In June 2024, the eight-member board of directors, including Howell, ratified a resolution that could have entitled them to substantial personal compensation from the OneTeam partnership.
It is being reported that McPhee circulated multiple communications suggesting the NFLPA could encounter legal complications if the bonus arrangement proceeded. She reportedly urged the union to scrutinize allegations that board members had allocated equity stakes to themselves. Eventually, the plan was abandoned.
According to The Athletic, OneTeam generated $101 million for the NFLPA alone from the beginning of 2024 into 2025. The NFLPA reportedly holds a 44% stake in the licensing company, with the MLBPA owning 22%. Three additional unions, representing MLS, the USWNT, and WNBA, hold considerably smaller shares. External investors comprise the remaining ownership.
ESPN indicates that McPhee has not been formally designated as a whistleblower in the FBI inquiry, thus diminishing her legal safeguards against potential retaliation.
Since Howell announced his departure, the NFLPA has been under new management, with David White, former executive director of SAG-AFTRA, serving as the interim head.
