Executive committee and reps,
After the conference call on Wednesday, April 4th, I believe that the
NFLPA is ready to begin a national search process to find a new
Executive Director. As you are completely aware of our election
process, Gene’s contractual situation, and our looming battles against
the owners in the coming years, I feel that the Board must begin to
prepare for a change in leadership immediately. I believe we have the
proper environment with our teammates and leadership within the board
to execute the process of this selection. To be “Open and Transparent”
is critical for the body to back our possible selection, as well as
our outside critics.
I want to make this clear: I have no personal agenda as I would hope
everyone else would as well. I only want what is best for the Union
and our teammates and my intentions are to establish a healthy
leadership for years to come. I believe that whoever the candidate
would end up being has the opportunity to gain valuable insight and
experience to lead future generations of players.
With that being said, I would suggest to the Executive Committee to:
1. Form a sub-committee (3-5 members) to lead the process. The members
should have the time and resources to fully commit to this all-
important process.
2. Use Board Designated Funds to hire an outside consultant, Executive
Head Hunter or Search Firm to aid in the collection of candidates from
both the outside and within the NFL world.
3. Form a list of 8-10 candidates by no later than the start of
training camp.
4. Use any means necessary (personal meetings in home cities or
another city or teleconference) to interview candidates, with
completion by the end of the 2008 football season.
5. Form a final list of 3 candidates by Jan. 1, 2009 that will be
interviewed by the entire Executive Board from Jan. 1-Feb. 15 (6 weeks
to interview 3 candidates again, by any means).
6. The entire Executive Committee select 1 candidate to be recommended
to the Board of Reps. at the 2009 March NFLPA meeting.
As I recommend this process, I fully realize this is just 1 man.
However, I was on that conference call and I am not the only Rep. who
listened and felt that it is time for a change. As I make this
suggestion, I will only hope that every one of us will put any
personal agenda aside and remember who each of us represent. Both the
old and young players in our locker rooms have voted us in because
they trust our judgment. This is about the future of our organization.
Not now … not 1 or 2 years from now, but 5, 10, 15 years from now.
Thanks.
– Matt Stover
