FBI Investigates MLBPA, NFLPA Over OneTeam Financial Dealings

The FBI is investigating financial dealings involving OneTeam Partners, a group licensing venture co-founded by the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), and RedBird Capital Partners to manage athletes' name, image, and likeness rights. The probe focuses on whether equity options and other financial arrangements were improperly awarded to executives, specifically MLBPA executive director Tony Clark and NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell, with calls made to union lawyers and several players. OneTeam Partners, valued at $1.9 billion in 2022, has been a significant revenue source for the unions, with the NFLPA receiving over $422 million in the past five years. While internal investigations by the unions and OneTeam found no wrongdoing, the FBI inquiry could have serious implications, and the NFLPA has retained outside counsel to conduct its own review. Both unions have expressed willingness to cooperate fully, and OneTeam emphasizes its commitment to best business practices amid the ongoing investigation. The investigation, reportedly managed by the Eastern District of New York, extends beyond MLBPA to the NFLPA and includes inquiries with players involved in union leadership.