JC Tretter elected NFLPA executive director

Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 12:27 am

JC Tretter Elected NFLPA Executive Director

Former NFL Players Association (NFLPA) president JC Tretter has been elected as the union's new executive director. The 35-year-old, who previously served as the union's chief strategy officer, won a three-way election against interim executive director David White and Tim Pernetti, commissioner of the NCAA's American Conference.

Tretter's election marks a return to the NFLPA after he resigned from his previous role last summer. He served as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024 and was involved in the 2020 collective bargaining agreement. He also spearheaded the creation of the NFLPA's annual "team report cards," which allow players to evaluate their teams' working conditions.

The NFLPA stated they are confident in Tretter's leadership. The union's statement emphasized the thorough search conducted to identify a long-term leader committed to serving the membership.

Tretter played nine seasons in the NFL as a center for the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns. He holds a labor relations degree from Cornell.

The search for a new executive director was prompted by the resignation of Lloyd Howell last summer. Howell's departure followed reports of hidden arbitration rulings, conflicts of interest, and inappropriate expenses.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement congratulating Tretter, expressing a desire to build upon their existing relationship to advance shared priorities, including player health and safety and the global growth of the game.

BNN's Perspective:

The election of JC Tretter signals a potential shift in the NFLPA's direction. His experience as a player and his involvement in key initiatives like the team report cards suggest a continued focus on player advocacy. However, his past controversies and the ongoing tension with team owners regarding the report cards will likely present challenges. The success of his tenure will depend on his ability to navigate these complexities and foster a productive relationship with both players and the league.

Keywords: JC Tretter, NFLPA, executive director, NFL Players Association, David White, Tim Pernetti, Lloyd Howell, labor relations, collective bargaining agreement, team report cards, Roger Goodell, NFL

Full Story