Lloyd Howell Resigns From Carlyle Group Amid NFL Conflict Scandal

Lloyd Howell Jr. has resigned from both The Carlyle Group and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) amid escalating concerns about conflicts of interest stemming from his simultaneous roles. Howell had served as a part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group since March 2023 while also acting as NFLPA executive director, even after The Carlyle Group was approved to acquire minority stakes in NFL teams, raising governance and ethical questions. Reports revealed Howell faced criticism for financial mismanagement, including questionable expense reports, which intensified scrutiny on NFLPA leadership. Despite initial defenses that his aerospace and defense work at Carlyle was sufficiently separate from NFL dealings, multiple sources indicate the dual roles were untenable, leading to his eventual double resignation. The scandal has prompted broader calls for clearer policies on leadership conflicts within professional sports organizations, coinciding with other leadership changes in the NFLPA. This controversy is impacting perceptions of transparency and accountability as the NFL approaches its 2025 season.