NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director, replacing Lloyd Howell

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director, replacing Lloyd Howell

The NFL Players Association has a new leader. The NFLPA on Sunday night announced the hiring of David White to take over as the interim executive director in a move that was necessitated by the stunningresignation of Lloyd Howell Jr. on July 17. pic.twitter.com/IpOrP8jX50 — NFLPA (@NFLPA)August 4, 2025 The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that JC Tretter, the union's chief strategy officer, and Don Davis, the chief player officer,emerged as the lead candidatesfollowing Howell's departure. Tretter laterresigned from his position. NFLPA CONTROVERSY EXPLAINED:What to know about grievances, Lloyd Howell, next steps One union official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that a voting player representative from all 32 teams participated in the Board vote. The person also said that on the final short list of candidates, there were multiple internal candidates and multiple external ones. The Board conducted interviews with each candidate over the last two weeks, and the process was player-led and voted on by the Board. The person also said that ultimately, the Board voted on their elected candidate this evening. NFLPA leadership initially expressed their supportfor Howell, but the fallout from the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast's release of a 61-page arbitration report proved to be too much. The report revealed the NFLPA agreed to keep the arbitration decision from earlier this year about potential collusion by the league confidential – despite evidence that "commissioner Roger Goodell and former general counsel Jeff Pashinstructed teams at the March 2022 league meeting to limit guaranteed moneyin players' contracts." Howell was later found to be apaid, part-time consultantfor the private-equity firm The Carlyle Group since March 2023, as reported by ESPN. It highlighted a potential conflict of interest as the group was given approval by the NFL to seek a minority ownership stake in a team. More revelations regarding Howell's conduct have come to light following his resignation. On July 18, ESPN reported thatHowell submitted expense reportscharging the union for two visits to strip clubs. The former leader's controversial tenure was short-lived and came to an end just over two years following his hiring on June 28, 2023. Now White will be tasked with cleaning up the mess that was left behind in addition to restoring trust between the union and its membership. They won't have the luxury of time, however, as training camps are already underway and the regular season is fast approaching. NFL writer Chris Bumbaca contributed to this story. All the NFL news on and off the field.Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFLPA hires David White to replace Lloyd Howell

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August 03, 2025

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director, replacing Lloyd Howell

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director, replacing Lloyd Howell The NFL Players Association has a new leader. The NFLPA on Sun...

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NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director

Less than three weeks after NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned amid numerous allegations of impropriety, the union elected David White as it interim executive director on Sunday. White is the chief executive officer of consulting firm 3CG Ventures and the former national executive director and chief negotiator of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). He was a finalist for the NFLPA post when a the board of 32 player representatives elected Howell in June 2023, according to multiple media reports. NFLPA president Jalen Reeves-Maybin said in a statement regarding the move by the Board of Player Representatives to appoint White, "This decision is the result of a comprehensive, player-led process. We understood the urgency to fill this role and did our due diligence to identify the right person to lead our union in this moment. "We have full faith in David to take the union forward and operate in the best interests of our membership. David has spent much of his career fighting for collectively bargained rights in the labor movement and is committed to putting players first in all the union does. We are confident that he will inspire solidarity and provide the necessary stability during this period of transition." White added in a statement, "I am grateful to the NFLPA's player leadership for entrusting me with the privilege and responsibility to guide their union as interim executive director. It's a duty I do not take lightly, and I'm committed to reestablishing trust and ensuring the union is serving its members best. I look forward to working with the entire NFLPA team to protect players' health and safety, secure their financial well-being, and further strengthen their voice to shape their futures." Howell stepped down on July 17 to no longer be a "distraction" for the NFLPA. During his tenure, he allegedly reached a confidentiality agreement with the NFL over a collusion case, worked for a private equity firm approved to pursue NFL minority ownership stakes and made inappropriate charges to the union, include a strip club visit. Former NFLPA president JC Tretter, considered a possible replacement for Howell, resigned from his job as the NFLPA's chief strategy officer after Howell's exit. Tretter was viewed as instrumental in getting the union to hire Howell, who also left a previous job at Booz Allen, where he was reportedly accused of sexual discrimination. --Field Level Media

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August 03, 2025

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director

NFLPA hires David White as interim executive director Less than three weeks after NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr...

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F1 'silly season' puts Red Bull, Mercedes and Cadillac on the spot

F1 'silly season' puts Red Bull, Mercedes and Cadillac on the spot

It's time for Formula 1's risk-taking drivers, overworked engineers and harried team principals to relax. At least in theory. With four weeks until the next race, including a mandatory 14-day shutdown of all racing operations from next week, the F1 season is on hold. It's what F1 calls "silly season," the time when contract talks — and rumors — fill the vacuum. It often seemed like silly season started early amid feverish speculation about a move from Red Bull to Mercedes for four-time champion Max Verstappen. Now that Verstappen hasconfirmedhe's staying with Red Bull, other decisions — such as contract renewals at Mercedes — could speed up. Russell at Mercedes Most F1 teams saw the sweeping rule changes coming for 2026 and tied down key drivers to long contract extensions last year, or even the year before. The idea was to lock in experienced drivers who could help with development throughout 2025, so the very different 2026 cars wouldn't come as a surprise. Mercedes does things a little differently. As well as checking out a potential Verstappen move, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has waited on contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who aren't confirmed beyond 2025. Both went through Mercedes' young driver program, which helped them through the junior series and seemingly gives the team more control over their careers. "Mercedes manage me as well, so it's not really a deadline in my hands as such," four-time GP winner Russell said last month, adding he'd had no talks with other teams. Antonelli started his debut F1 season strongly but the 18-year-old driver's performances have dipped in recent months. Red Bull's other seats Verstappen's decision has taken a lot of pressure off, but the broader Red Bull organization still has three seats to fill — one at Red Bull and two at Racing Bulls. It's not clear who will take the final decision, and when, after longtime team principalChristian Horner was fired. If the logic behind dropping the underperforming Sergio Perez last year was that any Red Bull replacement would do better, it's been proved wrong. Liam Lawson lasted two races as Verstappen's teammate andYuki Tsunodahas only scored points in three of 12 race weekends since his promotion. The team's engine partnership with Honda ends this year, which could affect Honda-backed Tsunoda's place. French rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls has outscored both Tsunoda and Lawson this season and might be the frontrunner for the Red Bull seat. F1's governing body, the FIA, made an exception to grant Red Bull-backed Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad its super license in June before his 18th birthday. Cadillac is coming "That's actually a nice seat... I wouldn't mind." Valtteri Bottas' comments in asocial media skitin June fawning over a Cadillac road car went viral and cemented him in many fans' minds as the front-runner to join the new General Motors-backed team for 2026. Bottas and Perez are both F1 race winners, popular with fans, who had underwhelming seasons in 2024 and aren't racing in 2025. Their experience might be a boost to a new team, though other reported options include Ferrari reserve Zhou Guanyu, an ex-Sauber driver who could unlock big sponsor backing from China, or ex-Haas driver Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. The Alpine carousel Ruthless? Yes. Successful? No. Alpine benched the departing Esteban Ocon for Jack Doohan for the last race of 2024, then dropped Doohan for Franco Colapinto six races into 2025. Given that neither Doohan nor Colapinto has scored a point for Alpine, it's perhaps no wonder the team hasn't confirmed who'll partner Pierre Gasly next year. One option is Alpine reserve Paul Aron, who'd be the first Estonian in F1. He's had two practice drives with Sauber this year but was unlucky last week when his car broke down Friday after just eight laps. ___ AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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August 03, 2025

F1 'silly season' puts Red Bull, Mercedes and Cadillac on the spot

F1 'silly season' puts Red Bull, Mercedes and Cadillac on the spot It's time for Formula 1's risk-taking drivers, overworked...

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Trump says nuclear submarines are 'in the region' amid tension with Russia

Trump says nuclear submarines are 'in the region' amid tension with Russia

WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumpsays the nuclear submarineshe said he was deployingin response to threatening comments from Russia's former president are "in the region." Trump also signaled that he's preparing to hit Moscowwith economic sanctionsover its war against Ukraine. "I've already put out a statement, the answer is, they are in the region," Trump told reporters traveling with him in New Jersey before he boarded Air Force One. Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to the "appropriate region" on Aug. 1 after former Russian President Dmitry Medvedevreferenced Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilitiesin a social media post that heightened tension with the U.S. leader. The dispute stemmed from Trump's ultimatum to Russia last month: make peace with Ukraine orbrace for sanctions and secondary tariffsaimed at choking off the country's oil revenue. He gave Russian PresidentVladimir Putina 50 day-deadline, whichhe later revisedto Aug. 8. Trump offers Putin an ultimatum:Senate pressure builds to sanction Russia The president told reporters on Aug. 3 that if the deadline arrives and Russia has not agreed to a ceasefire, "there'll be sanctions." "But they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," he added. "You know, they're wily characters. ... So we'll see what happens." Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff had been expected to visit Russia before the deadline, but the president signaled to reporters that trip had not yet taken place. He said Witkoff is currently focusedon addressing starvation in Gaza, but could go to Russia later in the week. Trump says he ordered 2 nuclear subs:They're heading to 'appropriate regions' after Russia nuclear threats The president stressed the need for a deal in Ukraine in which people stop being killed. "And now we're adding towns, where they're being hit by missiles," Trump said. Medvedevserves asdeputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. He said in a July 28post on Xthat Trump should remember that "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country." Trump hit back in a Truth Social post that said: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!" After Medvedev said Trump should remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be," in a post on the messaging app Telegram that referenced the Soviet Union's doomsday nuclear system, the U.S. president said he would reposition the submarines. Calling the comments "highly provocative," Trump said on Truth Social that he was taking action, "just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump deploys nuclear submarines amid tension with Russia

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August 03, 2025

Trump says nuclear submarines are 'in the region' amid tension with Russia

Trump says nuclear submarines are 'in the region' amid tension with Russia WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumpsays the nuclear submar...

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Texas Republicans say 'hunt down' Democrats who are leaving state over redistricting

Texas Republicans say 'hunt down' Democrats who are leaving state over redistricting

Democratic statehouse legislators are planning to leave Texas on Sunday in order to break the quorum of a special legislative session in which Republican state legislators are aiming to pass a new congressional map that could create up to five new GOP seats. The move comes after a marathon public hearing on the plan in the state Capitol on Friday and less than a week after state Republican legislators proposed the new maps. Republicans hold a majority in the Texas state legislature; Democrats had said they would consider all options to stop the maps from being passed, although their options for striking back have been limited. "We're not walking out on our responsibilities; we're walking out on a rigged system that refuses to listen to the people we represent. As of today, this corrupt special session is over," state Rep. Gene Wu, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement. MORE: GOP success with new Texas House map could hinge on Latino voters: ANALYSIS After news broke of Democratic legislators breaking quorum, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a post on X that Democrats who left should be arrested and brought back to the state capitol. "Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately," he wrote. "We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law." Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott issued a blistering statement Sunday evening, accusing the House Democrats who fled the state and prevented quorum of doing so for illegitimate reasons. He said their premeditated decision could result in forfeiture of elected state office and demanded they must return when the statehouse reconvenes for special session at 3:00 p.m. CT on Monday or risk losing their jobs. "This truancy ends now. The derelict Democrat House members must return to Texas and be in attendance when the House reconvenes at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, 2025. For any member who fails to do so, I will invoke Texas Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0382 to remove the missing Democrats from membership in the Texas House," part of Abbott's statement read. The walkout itself cannot stop the passage of the bill, but Democrats aim to run out the clock on the 30-day special legislative session, which would mean Abbott would have to call another one. Texas House Democrats previously broke quorum in 2021 to try to stop an elections bill and in 2003 to try to stop a similar redistricting effort by Republicans. Republicans eventually managed to pass the bills both times. President Donald Trump has previously said he wanted Texas legislators to draw five new Republican districts. More than 51 legislators are leaving the state, denying the state House the two-thirds majority out of 150 legislators it needs to have a quorum. An exact number of how many of the 62 Democratic legislators from the state House were leaving was not immediately available. MORE: Eric Holder backs Democratic response to Texas redistricting plan Democrats who break quorum risk accruing a $500-a-day fine, according to the state House rules, and potential legal action. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaking with "War Room" host and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, said on Thursday, "The House rules and the Senate rules both allow for these people to be arrested if they leave ... The challenge is, if they go out of state, we lose jurisdiction, and that -- it's been a challenge in the past, but in the end, as long as the governor is willing to keep calling sessions, ultimately they have to come home." Paxton also said he was not worried about defending the maps in court: "We've got, we've got good maps. And the legislature has the right to draw the maps they want. They're politically based, not race-based. And if they're politically based, then they're defensible." MORE: Eric Holder backs Democratic response to Texas redistricting plan Some of the Democratic legislators fleeing the state will appear on Sunday evening with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at a press conference. Pritzker has been a staunch supporter of Texas Democrats and has floated the possibility of getting Illinois' own congressional maps redrawn if Texas redraws its maps. Illinois' maps have been criticized by outside observers as highly partisan in favor of Democrats. In late June, the chair of the Texas Democrats, Kendall Scudder, flew from Dallas to Oklahoma to see Pritzker, who was giving remarks at the state Democratic Party's dinner. The pair had a private meeting during that time to talk about the possibility of lawmakers fleeing the state to Illinois -- and if they were to flee the state, that they would have a place they would feel safe and supported. Since then, Pritzker and Texas Democrats have been in touch, and a small group of them traveled to Chicago in July when members of the delegation left for Illinois and California for brief meetings. Pritzker and his team have been helping behind the scenes to help find hotels in the area for the Democrats, help their operation, and grease the wheels so things go smoothly for them as they head to Illinois. The bill containing the maps had been scheduled to be taken up on the state House floor on Monday.

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August 03, 2025

Texas Republicans say 'hunt down' Democrats who are leaving state over redistricting

Texas Republicans say 'hunt down' Democrats who are leaving state over redistricting Democratic statehouse legislators are planning ...

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