Latest news with #JimQuinn
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NFL rocked as head of players' union Lloyd Howell Jr. resigns after string of controversies
Lloyd Howell Jr. stepped down as executive director of the NFL Players Association on Thursday night following weeks of scrutiny for multiple blunders, including a reported conflict of interest and a decision to hide key parts of an arbitration ruling from the players. 'It's clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day,' Howell said in a statement. 'For this reason, I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the NFLPA and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players effective immediately. I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus on its player members ahead of the upcoming season. 'I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the NFLPA over the past two years. I will be rooting for the players from the sidelines as loud as ever, and I know the NFLPA will continue to ensure that players remain firmly at the center of football's future.' Last week, ESPN reported that Howell held a part-time role as a consultant for The Carlyle Group, one of a small handful of private equity firms that the NFL has approved to pursue minority ownership in franchises. ESPN's reporting included a former lead outside counsel for the NFLPA, Jim Quinn, calling it 'an outrageous conflict for the head of a labor union to have an interest in a third party that is aligned with the NFL.' It was not the first blow to Howell's reputation this offseason. In June, the 'Pablo Torre Finds Out' podcast published an arbitrator's report from January, when the NFLPA and the league were at odds over potential collusion by team owners to tamp down the growth of quarterback contracts. The arbitrator, Christopher Droney, ruled that there wasn't sufficient evidence of collusion between owners - but he went on to say that 'by a clear preponderance of the evidence,' commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL's general counsel encouraged owners to restrict guaranteed money in player contracts. Howell and the union reportedly had a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to keep the full report from getting out. Howell briefed the players but didn't provide them copies of the report, according to ESPN. Furthermore, Howell sits on the board of OneTeam Partners, a group licensing firm that is under investigation by the FBI.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
NFLPA exec director Lloyd Howell Jr. steps down amid controversy
July 18 - Lloyd Howell Jr. stepped down as executive director of the NFL Players Association on Thursday night following weeks of scrutiny for multiple blunders, including a reported conflict of interest and a decision to hide key parts of an arbitration ruling from the players. "It's clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day," Howell said in a statement. "For this reason, I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the NFLPA and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players effective immediately. I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus on its player members ahead of the upcoming season. "I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the NFLPA over the past two years. I will be rooting for the players from the sidelines as loud as ever, and I know the NFLPA will continue to ensure that players remain firmly at the center of football's future." Last week, ESPN reported that Howell held a part-time role as a consultant for The Carlyle Group, one of a small handful of private equity firms that the NFL has approved to pursue minority ownership in franchises. ESPN's reporting included a former lead outside counsel for the NFLPA, Jim Quinn, calling it "an outrageous conflict for the head of a labor union to have an interest in a third party that is aligned with the NFL." It was not the first blow to Howell's reputation this offseason. In June, the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast published an arbitrator's report from January, when the NFLPA and the league were at odds over potential collusion by team owners to tamp down the growth of quarterback contracts. The arbitrator, Christopher Droney, ruled that there wasn't sufficient evidence of collusion between owners -- but he went on to say that "by a clear preponderance of the evidence," commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL's general counsel encouraged owners to restrict guaranteed money in player contracts. Howell and the union reportedly had a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to keep the full report from getting out. Howell briefed the players but didn't provide them copies of the report, according to ESPN. Furthermore, Howell sits on the board of OneTeam Partners, a group licensing firm that is under investigation by the FBI. --Field Level Media
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chris Garrett: Bomb expert killed in Ukraine to be repatriated to Isle of Man
The body of a bomb disposal specialist who was killed in Ukraine is due to be repatriated to the Isle of Man Garrett died in an incident in Izyum, in the east of the country, on 6 40-year-old was volunteering with the Ukraine National Guard, after previously helping in the country in both 2014 and 2017. He returned again when war broke out in February a cavalcade to escort Mr Garrett to his home town of Peel, veteran Jim Quinn said: "It was the very least we could do to bring this hero home to his family. Taking him down through his home town one last time is a privilege and an honour." Mr Garrett had been working to clear mines and train Ukrainian troops after co-founding a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together. 'An honour' Mr Quinn served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army for 14 years, including tours of Bosnia and said: "The respect and admiration that Chris has out in Ukraine is mirrored here within both the Ukrainian community and the Manx community."The veteran first met the bomb disposal specialist in 2014, later joining him in Ukraine for two missions delivering humanitarian aid in Garrett's remains will be met with a guard of honour, with members of his family also Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle Club will then lead the cavalcade from Ballasalla to Peel on the west coast of the Brian Corrie said: "It's an honour to be able to do something to help the family."He added that one of their members also served in Ukraine with Mr Garrett, and he would be among those taking convoy is due to leave at 15:30 BST. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Los Angeles Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Is Tennis Broken? Unpacking the corruption allegations, and how the sport may change
Although accusations of corruption are certainly not new in the world of global sports — encompassing several notable incidents like the landmark 2015 FIFA World Cup case, and the 'BountyGate' scandal in the National Football League — it's not often that you hear a players' association call their respective league a 'cartel.' On March 18th, 2024 , the relatively new Professional Tennis Players Association filed a lawsuit against the ATP Tour, WTA tour, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, alleging that these governing bodies have violated players' rights through a rigged, restrictive economic system that keeps their earnings low. The lawsuit specifically claims that players have been forced into 'grueling schedules, capped earnings, abusive and invasive investigations and discipline, and have limited control over their own careers and brands,' due to 'a cartel of tour organizers and tournament operators.' In this article, we'll unpack the serious allegations rattling some of the largest tennis organizations on the planet, and discuss whether or not tennis truly is broken and in need of change. One of the most controversial arguments within the lawsuit is that the governing bodies overseeing Tennis' largest tournaments – those being the U.S. Open, the French Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon – have in fact conspired to 'fix' player earnings. The lawsuit claims that these Tours and governing bodies restrict prize money, take player's NIL rights without proper compensation, and restrict players from earning income off the court. In response, the WTA Tour and ATP Tour both released statements promising to defend against the case: with the WGA calling it 'baseless,' 'regrettable,' and 'misguided,' and claiming to have 'committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation' in prior years. The lengthy antitrust suit also focuses heavily on the ranking system , claiming that the system forces players to compete only in specific tournaments under the threat of fines for competing in outside competition. Other allegations include the claim that the governing bodies routinely put player health and safety at risk, forcing the players to compete in extreme heat or late into the night, as well as the claim that the International Tennis Integrity Agency is subjecting players to intrusive personal searches and lengthy interrogations within their anti-doping policies. Ultimately, the players behind this lawsuit claim to be fighting against not only the exploitation of players, but the competitive disadvantages ingrained in the current Tennis system itself. ' There is a complete and utter lack of competition that exists in professional tennis, and we believe by filing these actions, we will ultimately inject the kind of competition that will be fair to the players, to the fans and actually to the people (who) operate the system,' said lawyer Jim Quinn for the PTPA. Although it's far too early to know where this lawsuit will end up, the allegations raised within the suit offer a glimpse of major restructuring efforts that could occur in the future, if the sport truly is 'broken,' as claimed by Ahmad Nassar, PTPA executive director. If tennis is restructured as a result of this lawsuit, the sport's next era should begi n with a reformation of governance and leadership within the ATP, WTA, and ITF, with a goal to create a more unified, player-centric approach to decision making. This includes restructuring prize money distribution to allow more flexibility and competition among tournaments, and revising the player ranking system to give players more freedom to compete without penalty. Improving player welfare would also be key by ensuring that tennis organizations provide sufficient mental health resources and support for players. Additionally, establishing a stronger role for the PTPA in decision-making processes could provide athletes with a voice in governance and allow for collective bargaining on contracts, prize money, and benefits. It would increase opportunities for players to have a say in the policies that affect their careers, from tournament scheduling to contract negotiations. Reforming anti-doping and anti-corruption measures to ensure fairness, as well as fostering a culture of fairness and respect for all players, would also be crucial if the lawsuit forces action. Ultimately, these shocking allegations of corruption point to a future where substantial reforms are necessary to restore fairness within the sport — since the alleged risks of the current system may alienate both fans and players alike. As we wait to see how the PTPA's fight concludes, it's important to imagine what the future of the sport will look like, and consider whether tennis can ever fully escape these allegations of unfair competition and exploitation. Related
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Players' Group Founded by Djokovic Files Antitrust Suit Against Tennis Organizers
Calling the groups in charge of professional tennis 'a cartel,' the players' association co-founded by Novak Djokovic filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's and men's tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport's integrity agency on Tuesday in federal court in New York. The suit by the Professional Tennis Players' Association says the organizations that run the sport hold 'complete control over the players' pay and working conditions' and their setup constitutes 'textbook violations of state and federal law' that 'immunize professional tennis from ordinary market forces and deny professional tennis players and other industry participants their right to fair competition.' The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and wants players to gain access to more earnings, arguing that the governing bodies that oversee the four Grand Slam tournaments — Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open and the Australian Open — and other professional events 'cap the prize money tournaments award and limit players' ability to earn money off the court.' On top of the case in US District Court, the PTPA made filings with the European Commission in Brussels and the Competition Markets Authority in London, The Associated Press reported. 'There is a complete and utter lack of competition that exists in professional tennis, and we believe by filing these actions, we will ultimately inject the kind of competition that will be fair to the players, to the fans and actually to the people (who) operate the system,' said Jim Quinn, a lawyer working with the PTPA. 'It's going to require a restructuring,' Quinn said. The WTA Tour and ATP Tour issued separate statements Tuesday saying they would 'vigorously' defend themselves. The WTA said it has 'committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation' in recent years and labeled the PTPA action a 'baseless legal case' that is 'regrettable and misguided.' The ATP touted a 'major increase in player compensation' that created a jump of '$70 million in the past five years,' and called the PTPA's case 'entirely without merit.' 'The PTPA has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress,' the ATP's statement said. 'Five years on from its inception in 2020, the PTPA has struggled to establish a meaningful role in tennis, making its decision to pursue legal action at this juncture unsurprising.' The International Tennis Integrity Agency — which investigates and adjudicates doping and corruption — said it noted the PTPA's action but did not offer any direct reaction to the case itself. A spokesman said the ITF 'will take the appropriate time to consider our response.' The PTPA was founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in August 2020, aiming to offer representation for players who are independent contractors in a largely individual sport. One of the goals made clear along the way was to become a sort of full-fledged union that negotiates collective bargaining agreements like those that exist in team sports. 'Beyond just the economics, we see ... player welfare is completely disregarded in everything, from the tour schedule to anti-competitive practices, to abusing our rights around name, image, likeness," Pospisil said. He is one of the players listed as a plaintiff; Djokovic is not. Players whose names are attached to the US lawsuit include 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios, Sorana Cirstea, Varvara Gracheva, Reilly Opelka, Tennys Sandgren and Nicole Melichar-Martinez. PTPA executive director Ahmad Nassar said Djokovic is 'certainly very involved, very up to speed. He is still a sitting member of our executive committee at the PTPA. ... This is about much more than one player.' The PTPA said it met with more than 250 players — women and men, and a majority of the top 20 in the WTA and ATP rankings — before going to court. 'We've seen the Grand Slams try to change some things unsuccessfully. We've seen the tours themselves try to change things unsuccessfully. We've seen outside money try to come in and change things unsuccessfully. And so we really think this is the only path forward, and we don't do this lightly, whatsoever," Nassar said. "But we think it was necessary, because the players really do demand to be heard, to have their issues taken seriously, to address these structural issues that plague tennis and really choke it as an international sport, and to create a system that brings balance and equality and fairness to really the entire business of tennis.'
