As they continue their search for a permanent executive director, NFL Players Association leaders have zeroed in on three finalists, with two familiar names among them.
Interim executive director David White, former NFLPA president and eventual chief strategy officer JC Tretter and American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti are on the list, two sources briefed on the matter confirmed to The Athletic.
The goal is for the union’s 32 player representatives to vote on the next executive director at the NFLPA’s annual meeting, which will take place March 13-18 in San Diego.
The union is striving to regain stability after a tumultuous 2025, which included a federal investigation, the resignation of then-executive director Lloyd Howell, the resignation of Tretter and a lawsuit leveled by a former employee alleging sex discrimination, retaliation and obstruction of justice.
Howell’s resignation came amid scrutiny triggered not only by the FBI’s investigation into financial misconduct involving OneTeam Partners — the licensing entity co-owned by the NFLPA and MLBPA — but also by concerns over a conflict of interest. The latter stemmed from Howell serving as a consultant for a private equity firm that gained approval to purchase minority stakes in NFL teams, as well as reports that he filed expense reports to the NFLPA for reimbursements for lavish visits to strip clubs. Howell also drew criticism for agreeing to a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to conceal the ruling of a collusion grievance the union had filed against the league.
Tretter became chief strategy officer (a position created for him) after two terms as NFLPA president (2020-2024) and drew criticism for his handling of the selection process that led to Howell’s hiring. While serving as president of the union, the retired Cleveland Browns center led a 16-month search that union leaders conducted under a heightened level of secrecy. Tretter changed the NFLPA’s constitution to allow the union leaders to keep the executive director search process highly confidential. Critics believed that greater transparency would have helped the union avoid the missteps that led to the selection of Howell, who endured multiple controversies during his 34-year executive career with Booz Allen.
Since Howell and Tretter’s resignations last July, the union has operated under the direction of president Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who plays linebacker for the Chicago Bears, and White, whom the union hired in August as interim executive director. White previously served as national executive director and chief negotiator of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
The NFLPA began its search for its long-term executive director last summer, with the search including a wide range of candidates. As recently as the first week of February, that list remained private. While conducting the NFLPA’s annual Super Bowl week news conference, Reeves-Maybin said that the committee had yet to inform White if he was a finalist for the position.
It turns out that White did make the cut, as did Tretter and Pernetti. Sources familiar with the process said that other candidates who drew consideration early in the process included former NFL defensive back and NFLPA president (2012-14) Domonique Foxworth, former NFL quarterback and player rep Matt Schaub, who also was a candidate during the previous executive director search, and former NFL center Jeff Saturday. Foxworth confirmed to The Athletic that he interviewed for the position, and he expressed disappointment that he didn’t advance past the initial search committee interview.
White has helped bring stability to the union, and he has worked to help regain the trust of the player body. White was also a candidate for the position during the election that ultimately settled on Howell as executive director.
Tretter has a strong understanding of the inner workings of the union. During his presidency, the players successfully negotiated the current collective bargaining agreement, which runs through 2030.
That leaves Pernetti as the only candidate without any experience working with the NFLPA. He has held his position since the summer of 2024 and previously served as president of the athletically focused IMG Academy in Florida.
Commenting on Pernetti’s candidacy, American Conference board chair and East Carolina University chancellor Philip Rogers said in a statement, “Media reports about Commissioner Tim Pernetti and the NFLPA executive director search underscore what we see every day: The American Conference continues to be a deep pool of talented member institutions, athletic directors, coaches, and leadership that the biggest brands in and beyond college athletics work to recruit. Under Tim’s leadership, we have made meaningful forward progress in alignment, commercialization, and competitive strength. Interest in Tim comes as no surprise. He remains a transparent, tireless advocate for our members and fully focused on advancing the American.”
White did not immediately respond to The Athletic’s request for comment. Tretter could not be reached for comment.
The NFLPA narrowed its choices to Howell and White during the previous search. This time, it will consider a three-person field.
The selection of the executive director comes at a time when the union is gearing up for negotiations with NFL owners regarding a new CBA. That deal could dramatically change the business of football. The owners would like to expand the regular season from 17 games to 18, and they also would like to increase the number of international games to 16 so every team plays one game abroad each season.
The players strongly oppose the idea of expanding to 18 games, and they are wary of an increase in international travel. An expansion of either would likely require a change in the formation of the regular-season schedule, with a second bye week being possible, and a later completion date of the season being a certainty.
Revenue sharing will also rank among the key arguing points of the new CBA. Owners currently receive roughly 51.3 percent of all revenue, while the players receive roughly 48.7 percent. The players would like for that number to increase to the point where they receive more of an even slice of the pie.
— Chris Vannini contributed to this report.