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UNION MEETING EXCLUDED UPSHAW, MAWAE
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 14, 2008, 1:16 p.m.
A rift between certain members of the NFL Players’ Association and the union’s leadership appears to be growing, as the union’s executive committee held a meeting outside the presence of Executive Director Gene Upshaw and President Kevin Mawae.
Liz Mullen and Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal report that the meeting was held to discuss finding a new leader for the union, and that it’s possible that a replacement for Upshaw could be chosen at the union’s March 2009 meeting.
The 32 NFL teams unanimously opted out of the collective bargaining agreement this year, and union members know they need to present a united front to the owners as they negotiate a new deal. That the players don’t feel united behind Upshaw is a bad sign for his ability to lead the union through the coming negotiations.
The report says that some players have even taken it upon themselves to talk to owners about the collective bargaining agreement. In an e-mail to Sports Business Journal, Upshaw conceded that disunity within the union could hurt the players in negotiations.
“No question it is hurting, Upshaw said. “If the NFL were having internal issues, we would use it. That is why they have a gag order.”
Upshaw said of the players who are working against him, “Their agenda, whatever it is, is hurting the 1,800 [NFL] players. They are the real victims. As early as the fall meetings I will let the 1,800 players know what and who is behind this.”
Mawae agreed, telling Sports Business Journal, “It is my feeling that any information leaked to you or any other media outlet is a disservice to the NFLPA and the players that the Executive Committee was elected to represent.”
Mawae would be right — if the union leadership were adequately representing its membership. But as long as there are significant numbers of union members who don’t think their leaders are adequately representing them, we’ll hear more stories like this. And Upshaw might not be able to hold onto his post as the union head long enough to negotiate the new collective bargaining agreement.
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 14, 2008, 1:16 p.m.
A rift between certain members of the NFL Players’ Association and the union’s leadership appears to be growing, as the union’s executive committee held a meeting outside the presence of Executive Director Gene Upshaw and President Kevin Mawae.
Liz Mullen and Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal report that the meeting was held to discuss finding a new leader for the union, and that it’s possible that a replacement for Upshaw could be chosen at the union’s March 2009 meeting.
The 32 NFL teams unanimously opted out of the collective bargaining agreement this year, and union members know they need to present a united front to the owners as they negotiate a new deal. That the players don’t feel united behind Upshaw is a bad sign for his ability to lead the union through the coming negotiations.
The report says that some players have even taken it upon themselves to talk to owners about the collective bargaining agreement. In an e-mail to Sports Business Journal, Upshaw conceded that disunity within the union could hurt the players in negotiations.
“No question it is hurting, Upshaw said. “If the NFL were having internal issues, we would use it. That is why they have a gag order.”
Upshaw said of the players who are working against him, “Their agenda, whatever it is, is hurting the 1,800 [NFL] players. They are the real victims. As early as the fall meetings I will let the 1,800 players know what and who is behind this.”
Mawae agreed, telling Sports Business Journal, “It is my feeling that any information leaked to you or any other media outlet is a disservice to the NFLPA and the players that the Executive Committee was elected to represent.”
Mawae would be right — if the union leadership were adequately representing its membership. But as long as there are significant numbers of union members who don’t think their leaders are adequately representing them, we’ll hear more stories like this. And Upshaw might not be able to hold onto his post as the union head long enough to negotiate the new collective bargaining agreement.
