Washington, D.C. — The NFL Players Association has placed one of its leading attorneys on paid administrative leave following complaints from multiple employees, according to sources familiar with the matter. Heather McPhee, who has served as the union’s associate general counsel since 2009, is facing allegations related to workplace conduct, including accusations of bullying and failure to adhere to supervisors’ instructions.
The decision to put McPhee on leave comes after she played a pivotal role in triggering a federal investigation into the financial operations of the NFLPA and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Both organizations are tied to OneTeam Partners, a $2 billion licensing venture.
McPhee has not responded to requests for comment, and her attorney, William Pittard, also did not return calls. An NFLPA spokesperson stated that the union does not discuss personnel matters.
Among those reporting issues regarding McPhee’s behavior is Matt Curtin, the head of NFL Players Inc., which manages the union’s licensing activities and he is also on the board of OneTeam Partners. Within the union’s D.C. offices, McPhee had been known for her vocal criticism of the recently departed NFLPA executive director, Lloyd Howell Jr.
Previously, McPhee sought legal counsel amid an ongoing FBI inquiry concerning the unions’ dealings with OneTeam, which is owned 44.5% by the NFLPA. It has been reported that the NFLPA engaged an external firm to probe the allegations against McPhee, while Howell’s leadership has also come under scrutiny.
Howell resigned in July amid ongoing revelations about his misuse of union funds for personal indulgences, including visits to strip clubs, and for consulting services associated with potential investments in NFL teams. Additional scrutiny came when an arbitrator’s report detailing a confidentiality agreement between the NFL and the union was leaked to the media.
Sources indicate that McPhee’s memos raised concerns regarding the NFLPA’s legal vulnerabilities as OneTeam sought to implement a bonus structure for its board members, which included both Howell and MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark. Moreover, a former MLBPA official lodged a whistleblower complaint alleging financial misconduct by Clark, who denies any wrongdoing.
In response to the concerns raised by McPhee, the NFLPA brought in attorney Richard Smith to conduct an audit of their relationship with OneTeam. McPhee has claimed that Howell attempted to terminate that audit improperly. However, reports suggest that she does not qualify as a whistleblower in the ongoing FBI investigation, which has reportedly involved multiple players from both the NFL and MLB.
David White, who took over as the NFLPA’s interim executive director on August 4, signed the letter outlining the complaints against McPhee. He is the former leader of the SAG-AFTRA union, representing film production workers.
As these developments unfold, the scope and implications of the federal investigation remain unclear. Sources indicate that it is still active, with players being contacted by agents of the FBI.
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