From William C. Rhoden of the New York Times comes the next intriguing chapter in the drama currently engulfing the NFL Players Association.
First, some background. Representative James Moran (D-Va.) recently told SportsBusiness Journal that former NFLPA president Troy Vincent spoke with at least two of the four Congresspersons who sent a letter to the Department of Labor urging an investigation of the NFLPA’s procedures for hiring a new Executive Director.
The disclosure was significant because at least one member of the union’s Executive Committee privately has vowed that the person who instigated the Congressional involvement will be disqualified from candidacy for the Executive Director job.
As it turns out, Moran’s daughter Mary is the union’s Director of Human Resources. She earns nearly $200,000 per year, according to the May 2008 LM-2 report filed by the union.
We surmised on Friday that Mary Moran enlisted her father to determine whether Vincent was the responsible party in order to defeat his candidacy and, in turn, preserve her job.
For a change, our speculation might have been right on the money.
Rhoden spoke with Gregory Meeks, one of the four Representatives who signed the letter to former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. And Meeks essentially confirmed our suspicions.
“Meeks said that what he did not know until the end of his conversation with Moran was that Moran’s daughter, Mary, is the union’s director of human resources,” Rhoden writes. “Meeks said that Moran shared unspecified personal concerns for his daughter’s continued employment if Vincent were to be elected.”
And though the means are (in our view) inappropriate, the concerns are justified.
As we and SBJ have pointed out, the current NFLPA power structure fears that Vincent would fire or force out anyone who was loyal to Upshaw, in light of last year’s attempted coup by Vincent (which he still denies) and the subsequent falling out between Upshaw and Vincent.
At a deeper level, Mary Moran also could (key would word “could”) be concerned that a new Executive Director might look into the question of whether a Director of Human Resources earning $199,088 per year as of May 2008 has the appropriate education, credentials, and experience for the job.
We’re not saying she doesn’t. All we’re saying is that a new Executive Director might want to be sure that she does.
NFLPA DRAMA CONTINUES TO UNFOLD
Posted by Mike Florio on January 31, 2009, 8:54 AM EDT
15 Responses to “NFLPA DRAMA CONTINUES TO UNFOLD”
Uh oh Mary Moran. I have the feeling that whomever is the next Executive Director won’t feel comfortable working with someone that is willing to use Daddy’s Congressional influence if it looks like things won’t go her way.
Time to update that resume!
Wow.
I’ve always thought HR is where the untalented bourgeoisie go to primp and pose.
Ahh I enjoyed writing that.
Bye Mary.
I’m sure Mary will land on her feet, I’m sure Al Davis needs HR people. Can’t seem to fill any of his vacancies.
Posted by Mike Florio on January 31, 2009, 8:54 a.m. EST
“At a deeper level, Mary Moran also could (key would “could”) be concerned that a new Executive Director might look into the question of whether a Director of Human Resources earning $199,088 per year as of May 2008 has the appropriate education, credentials, and experience for the job.
We’re not saying she doesn’t. All we’re saying is that a new Executive Director might want to be sure that she does.”
Very funny Florio.
Gramatically you’re correct, you are not saying she doesn’t. You’re just saying she dosen’t, and someone should verify her background. How lawerly.
This is a good thread, keep it going.
Who said there was no drama this Super Bowl week? First the concussion study results on Tuesday and now this. Rep. Moran is a jerk. He’s gone and made Vincent a sympathetic figure when he is far from it.
Derrick Thomas had 7 children from 5 different women. While that may not disqualify him from entrance into the NFL Hall of Fame it speaks volumes about his character. That, and the circumstances the eventually resulted in his death and the death of another! He is most certainly qualified for the “Douche Bag Hall of Fame”.
I always thought Congressmen had their kids become lobbyists. Didn’t Tom DeLay have, completely legally – which is mind blowing, his entire family installed as lobbyists? She’ll even end up with a nice pay raise. Sweetest gig in America – two years in the House and you and yours get to rape the country all the while covered by the best health and retirement plan in the nation. Nice work if you can get it. What a shock we’re in the situation we are.
In mathematical terms, Independent business + Government involvement = Cluster Fluck.
This is why unions suck. they do as they please in the dirtiest posible way. I can’t wait until congress gives the unions complete control in this country (just like in France). Then there will be constant strikes that will cripple this country. I might as well move to France (at least the food is better).
I think the immivaders have control in france. Nonfrench guy sarkozy promised to deal with them and instead he just parrots the israeli line.
200k to do nothing? She gets rich and you get to send yer kids to public school.
Wake up america.
Mary will land on her feet. I mean what business that might be regulated through Washington wouldn’t want the daughter of a near 20 year congressman who’s more then happy to do favors for her in their pocket?
Of course normally this would be called corruption (As Moran gets the kickback of having his daughter employed in return for his political action), if Moran was a republican we’d probably hear that word dropped a bit more over this. Yes its fine to have your kids as lobbyist (legally), hell all 6 of Harry Reid’s kids are not only lobbyists but have gotten fat salaries bringing their clients wishes to their daddy, but it is unethical to have your kids or family lobby you or to vote on concerns in which they lobby (which is why John McCain doesn’t vote on domestic alcohol issues).
OK – Let’s get a few more loose ends tied together here. Alex Marvez, FOX Sports writer, has been giving the NFL a pass in most of his reporting. FOX has broadcast rights with the NFL etc. Jane Skinner works for FOX and is married to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Now it was Marvez who conveniently had that breaking story about Troy Vincent last April regarding that original “coup” in which Vincent suggested that perhaps it might be a good time to start putting together criteria for selecting a new Executive Director. That’s when the crap really hit the fan.
With snitches inside the NFLPA, the media as well as Congress and the Dept. of Labor, it’s small wonder why anyone can’t keep a story straight.
Oh – and Marvez was the head of the PFWC when new “rules” were drafted to include or exclude certain publications because they did or didn’t meet their “standards.” Maybe little things like good investigative reporting?
200,000???? i am sure she is worth every penny, just ask daddy. morons
key WORD “could.” Step that grammar game up, counselor.