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Athletes dive into the world of pop culture

Athleisure, a growing fashion trend combining comfort and athletic wear, is expected to reach a market value of 7.1 billion by next year. The sportswear market has never been so competitive, and newer brands are coming out on top. Older activewear brands are running to athletes in an effort to promote their products and compete […]

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Athletes dive into the world of pop culture

Athleisure, a growing fashion trend combining comfort and athletic wear, is expected to reach a market value of 7.1 billion by next year. The sportswear market has never been so competitive, and newer brands are coming out on top. Older activewear brands are running to athletes in an effort to promote their products and compete in the marketplace. 
However, the appearance of sports on screen does not always have to be rooted in reality. “Space Jam” (1996) and “Challengers” (2024) are both considered sports movies, but build off of the world of sports in creative ways. 

Being a cultural icon is not an easy job, especially now. Many athletes are active on social media, and even consider themselves influencers outside of their work. 
Stephen Nedoroscik, an American gymnast who gained a following during the 2024 Olympics, also appeared on the 33rd season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Ilona Maher, an American rugby player, rose to fame during the 2024 Olympics when she led Team USA to win bronze. She currently boasts 4.9 million followers on Instagram.
Many other athletes star in commercials, especially during major sports events, such as the Super Bowl.
On screen
In the world of sports, athletes go down in history for their game. Among these legendary players are Lebron James, Serena Williams, Jackie Robinson, Simone Biles, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Micheal Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Katie Ledecky, Lionel Messi, Dale Earnhardt and Megan Rapinoe. 

Athletes are no longer just players of the game; they are influencers, brand ambassadors and movie stars. The growing convergence of sports and pop culture is pulling athletes from the court and into the world of entertainment. 
Since gaining her following, Maher has brought attention to social issues, promoted body positivity and challenged traditional gender norms. She has partnered with many brands, including Adidas, L’Oréal and Paula’s Choice. 
Outside of brand deals, Maher frequently posts entertainment content on her Instagram and TikTok. She joined “Dancing with the Stars” (2024) and placed second with dancing partner, Alan Bersten. 
Jordan’s deal did not just change the fashion industry, it also revolutionized how consumers interact with athletes. The power of a loyal fan base was realized and athletes suddenly became cultural icons.

As the line between sports and pop culture continues to blur, the role of athletes in popular media will only grow stronger. Players are no longer defined just by their presence on the court or field, they are also judged based on the content they create outside of the stadium.
“LFG” (2021), “Senna” (2010) and “Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans” (2024) are a few recent documentaries that highlight the life and work of athletes from around the sports world.
Fashion
Shaquille O’Neal, former basketball player and sports analyst, appears on screen during nearly every ad break. He has appeared in commercials for everything from Icy Hot and Pepsi to Epson Printers and Papa Johns Pizza.
Commercials, movies and TV — athletes are appearing on the big screen in every genre. 
While brand deals are one of the ways athletes appear on screen, they also are featured in films of their own.
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During Super Bowl LIX, football player Peyton Manning starred alongside rapper Post Malone and comedian Shane Gillis in a commercial for Bud Light. Soccer player David Beckham promoted Stella Artois alongside Matt Damon. Actors Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara were joined by basketball player Sabrina Ionescu, Football wide receiver Randy Moss and track and field athlete Ryan Crouser to advertise Michelob ULTRA.
Jordan’s first Nike deal, signed in 1984, was a five year contract for .5 million. Half a year later, the Air Jordan 1 was released to the public and changed the sportswear shoe industry forever. Within the first year, Nike made 0 million in sales on the shoes.
Cultural icons
Athletes acting as walking billboards is not a new phenomenon. It all started with Micheal Jordan’s Nike partnership completely transforming the way brands partnered with athletes and sports teams.

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Meet the 2025 All-Metro boys golf team

The 2025 Post-Dispatch All-Metro spring series continues with boys golf. This includes players from both the Illinois fall season and Missouri spring season. Read more about boys golf, and other high school sports, at STLhighschoolsports.com. All-Metro boys golf first team Harper Ackermann, senior, CBC Ackermann was among the area’s top players all four years of high […]

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Harrison Zipfel led SLUH’s thrilling campaign: All-Metro boys golfer of the year

The 2025 Post-Dispatch All-Metro spring series continues with boys golf. This includes players from both the Illinois fall season and Missouri spring season.

Read more about boys golf, and other high school sports, at STLhighschoolsports.com.

All-Metro boys golf first team







Harper Ackermann, CBC

Harper Ackermann, senior, CBC

Ackermann was among the area’s top players all four years of high school golf, and he capped it off with his best season yet as a senior this spring. In the postseason, he fired a 6-under-par 138 to finish in a tie for fifth at the Class 5 state tournament, which came on the heels of a tie for third at the Class 5 District 2 tourney. He also earned titles in the MCC Tournament, the Bulldog Battle and the Columbia Classic and fashioned runner-up efforts at the Bantle Memorial and the Cape Notre Dame Invitational. Ackermann has signed to play at West Florida.

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Eric Ewing, Chaminade

Eric Ewing, junior, Chaminade

Ewing enjoyed a second successive strong postseason for the Red Devils, who finished as the Class 5 team runner-up. He posted matching rounds of 69 for a 6-under-par 138 and a tie for fifth place at the Class 5 state tournament, his second consecutive top-10 finish at state. Ewing also finished in a tie for ninth at the Class 5 District 2 tourney. In the regular season, he earned a runner-up finish at the MCC tourney and had a third-place showing at the Laker Invitational.







Ben Gelven, MICDS

Ben Gelven, senior, MICDS

Gelven turned it on in the postseason in his final go-around with the Rams. He fired a 2-under-par 69 to win the Class 4 District 2 tournament and then carded a 2-over 144 at the Class 4 state tourney to earn a runner-up finish, just two shots off the pace. It was his second top-10 state finish in three years. Gelven has signed to play at Illinois Wesleyan.







Alton Scholar Athlete Samuel Ottwell

Sam Ottwell, senior, Alton

Ottwell once again was one of the top Metro East golfers last fall, earning Class 3A co-player of the year honors from the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He captured medalist honors at the Southwestern Conference tournament and also took first place at the Class 3A Collinsville Regional with a career-best round of 65. Ottwell then had a runner-up finish at the Class 3A Decatur Sectional and finished in a tie for 24th at the Class 3A state tourney. Ottwell has signed to play at Illinois State.







Cole Packingham, Liberty

Cole Packingham, junior, Liberty

Packingham had a strong campaign once again this spring. His season was capped off in spectacular fashion in the postseason with a sizzling 9-under-par 135 to capture third at the Class 5 state tournament to go along with a second consecutive Class 5 District 2 championship. The highlight of Packingham’s regular season was undoubtedly the 7-under 63 he shot to win the Warrenton Invitational White Division title and set a new state record for a par-70 course. He also tied for third at the Bulldog Battle.







Austin Rinkenberger, Lafayette

Austin Rinkenberger, junior, Lafayette

Rinkenberger enjoyed a solid postseason for a Lancers squad that brought home team hardware with a fourth-place finish at the Class 5 state tournament. He tied for third at the Class 5 District 1 tournament and then carded an even-par 144 to finish in a tie for 11th at the Class 5 tourney. During the regular season, Rinkenberger fired a 5-under to win the Cape Notre Dame Invitational.

All-Metro boys golf second team

Jacob Florek, senior, Mascoutah

Florek posted the best state finish of any Metro East golfer last fall with a tie for ninth place at the Class 2A state tournament. He also fashioned a runner-up effort at the Class 2A Waterloo Regional and an eighth-place showing at the Class 2A Anna-Jonesboro Sectional. He has signed to play at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Mack Freeman, senior, Lafayette

Freeman fired a 1-under-par 143 to finish in 10th place at the Class 5 state tournament, as he helped the Lancers to a fourth-place team finish. He also finished in a tie for 13th at the Class 5 District 1 tourney.

Isaac Kelley, junior, Francis Howell

Kelley had a standout season that including earning GAC South player of the year honors. He finished as the runner-up at the Class 5 District 2 tournament and also had a third-place finish at the GAC South Conference tourney.

Kolton Kijanko, sophomore, Francis Howell

Kijanko had a strong second spring for the Vikings, who were fifth as a team in Class 5. He posted a 3-under-par 141 to finish eighth at the Class 5 state tournament, earned a fourth-place showing at the Bantle Memorial tourney and tied for 12th at the Class 5 District 2 tourney.

Mason Lewis, senior, Edwardsville

Lewis had a solid fall once again for the Tigers, including being named Class 3A co-player of the year by the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He posted a pair of runner-up efforts at the Class 3A Collinsville Regional and the Southwestern Conference tournament and added a seventh-place showing at the Class 3A Decatur Sectional and a tie for 19th at the Class 3A state tourney. He has signed to play at SMU.

Nick Vilela, junior, SLUH

Vilela was a key part of the Class 5 champion Junior Billikens outstanding crop of underclassmen. He fired a 2-under-par 140 to finish in ninth place at the Class 5 state tournament and also finished in a tie for 10th at the Class 5 District 1 tourney.

All-Metro boys golf third team

Caden Fehr, sophomore, Chaminade

Fehr carded an even-par 144 to finish in a tie for 11th place at the Class 5 state tournament. He also finished in a tie for 18th at the Class 5 District 2 tourney for a Red Devils squad that captured a district title and finished as the state runner-up.

Owen Moss, senior, Mater Dei

Moss was named the Class 1A player of the year by the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He enjoyed a strong postseason for the Knights with a runner-up finish at the Class 1A Carlyle Regional, a tie for third place at the Class 1A Zeigler-Royalton Sectional and a tie for 13th at the Class 1A state tourney.

Trey Roessler, senior, Vianney

Roessler finished a strong career with the Golden Griffins by earning individual medalist honors at the Webster Cup. He also tied for eighth place at the Class 5 District 1 tournament and placed in the top 25 at the Class 5 state tourney. Roessler has given a verbal commitment to Olivet Nazarene.

Hudson Shy, sophomore, St. Charles West

Shy was the GAC North player of the year after a season that included championships at the Bogey Hills Invitational and the conference tournament, as well as a tie for 10th place at the Class 3 District 2 tourney and a tie for 17th at the Class 3 state tourney.

Owen Shy, senior, St. Charles West

Shy enjoyed a strong postseason run for the Warriors, capturing medalist honors at the Class 3 District 2 tournament on the strength of an even-par 70 and posting a fifth-place finish at the Class 3 state tourney with a 3-over 147.

Owen Walther, senior, John Burroughs

Walther enjoyed a strong senior campaign that included firing a 3-under-par 68 to take home co-individual medalist honors at the Metro League tournament. He earned a sixth-place showing at the Class 3 District 2 tournament and tied for seventh at the Class 3 state tourney.


Harrison Zipfel led SLUH’s thrilling campaign: All-Metro boys golfer of the year

St. Louis University High junior Harrison Zipfel is the All-Metro boys golfer of the year.


Meet the 2025 All-Metro water polo team


Meet the 2025 All-Metro spring softball team


Meet the 2025 All-Metro boys tennis team


Meet the 2025 All-Metro boys volleyball team



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Why AAU Works for SwimAtlanta—and Why It Can Work for Your Club Too

This is an editorial from Chris Davis, the founder, owner, and head coach of SwimAtlanta, one of the top swimming programs in the United States. He established the club in 1977 with just 28 swimmers and one location. Today, SwimAtlanta operates at seven locations with over 1,800 swimmers and has produced numerous national and international […]

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This is an editorial from Chris Davis, the founder, owner, and head coach of SwimAtlanta, one of the top swimming programs in the United States. He established the club in 1977 with just 28 swimmers and one location. Today, SwimAtlanta operates at seven locations with over 1,800 swimmers and has produced numerous national and international champions, including five Olympians

By Chris Davis, Founder & Head Coach, SwimAtlanta

There’s probably not a week that goes by without someone in the swimming community asking me, “How’s the AAU side of your team going?” And without fail, at every meet I attend, at least one coach pulls me aside to ask the same thing.

My answer is simple: It’s going great. And I follow that up by explaining why AAU works for SwimAtlanta—and why it could work for every swim club in America.

Here’s what I’ve learned after decades in the sport, both as a coach and as a business owner: at least 50% of our registered swimmers never attend USA Swimming sanctioned meets. They’re on the team for exercise, fitness, high school prep, summer league, or parks and rec—not for competition. And that’s okay. It gives us a chance to identify and guide athletes who could thrive in the sport toward a more competitive path.

But for the other half—the kids who won’t compete in USA Swimming meets—it never made sense to pay the full USA Swimming registration fee just for insurance coverage. I realized years ago that there had to be a more cost-effective solution. So we switched our non-competitive swimmers to a general umbrella insurance policy through Risk Management, which cost about $6–$7 per swimmer. That one change saved SwimAtlanta roughly $50,000 per year in unnecessary registration fees.

Enter AAU

Two years ago, we evolved the model again. We began dual-registering with AAU for a few key reasons.

  1. AAU meets are easy to sanction and host. We can get an AAU meet sanctioned in about an hour. Compare that to the lengthy process required through most LSCs. That means we can run fun, fast, insured novice meets for swimmers who aren’t ready for big-time competition. Everyone is covered under AAU’s insurance—swimmers, officials, and volunteers alike.
  2. The meets are efficient and inclusive. At our recent AAU Father’s Day meet, we hosted 200 swimmers and wrapped the event in two hours. Afterward, we rented out the water park for a team celebration. It was affordable, well-run, and a total blast.
  3. AAU provides a financial and structural alternative. While AAU registration costs a bit more than the Risk Management plan, we more than make up for that through meet revenue—especially because we’re not giving a required percentage to the LSC. This has allowed us to build a sustainable, engaging experience for developmental swimmers.

A Reminder To USA Swimming

My secondary motivation for registering with AAU is simple: to remind USA Swimming that they’re not the only game in town.

Competition, in any space, makes everyone better. SwimAtlanta thrives in Atlanta not because we’re the only option, but because other great teams push us to improve. We have to deliver for our families. We have to evolve. And we believe USA Swimming should be held to the same standard.

If USA Swimming starts losing market share, maybe that’s the wake-up call they need to rethink how they operate. Innovation doesn’t happen without pressure. And when there’s no competition, complacency creeps in.

If you’re interested in exploring AAU or just want to talk more about how we’re using this model at SwimAtlanta, I’m happy to share.

Chris Davis
SwimAtlanta Founder & Head Coach
📧 [email protected]

SEE: AAU Swimming 





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UFC Baku

UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree’s Earnings After Hill Win Home » MMA » UFC Baku: How Much Money Did Khalil Rountree Earn Defeating Jamahal Hill? 0

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Shillong Teer Result Today, June 23, 2025

Shillong Teer Result Today, June 23, 2025: The Shillong Teer Result for today, June 23, 2025, will be announced by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASA) at the Shillong Polo Stadium. This traditional archery-based lottery game is immensely popular in Meghalaya. It offer players a chance to win cash prizes by predicting the winning […]

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Shillong Teer Result Today, June 23, 2025

Shillong Teer Result Today, June 23, 2025: The Shillong Teer Result for today, June 23, 2025, will be announced by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASA) at the Shillong Polo Stadium. This traditional archery-based lottery game is immensely popular in Meghalaya. It offer players a chance to win cash prizes by predicting the winning numbers in two rounds daily.

Alongside Shillong Teer, results for Khanapara Teer and Juwai Teer will also be declared. Stay tuned for live updates and the full list of winning numbers.

Shillong Teer result today: Live updates and winning numbers

The Shillong Teer results for June 23, 2025, will be released in two rounds: the first round in the afternoon and the second round shortly after. Players can check the winning numbers for Shillong Teer, Khanapara Teer, and Juwai Teer as soon as they are announced. These results are important for participants to verify their tickets and claim prizes.

Shillong Teer common numbers and hit numbers for June 23, 2025

Below is the required Shillong Teer common numbers and hit numbers for June 23, 2025 listed:

Shillong Morning Teer common numbers for June 23, 2025

To be updated

Juwai Morning Teer Common Numbers for June 23, 2025

To be updated

Shillong, Khanapara, and Juwai Teer results: Full winning numbers list

Below is the required Full winning numbers list for Shillong, Khanapara, and Juwai Teer results listed:

Teer Game First Round Result Second Round Result
Shillong Teer To be updated To be updated
Khanapara Teer To be updated To be updated
Juwai Teer To be updated To be updated

Note: The above table will be updated immediately after the official announcement of results.

Shillong Teer common numbers and winning number predictions

Along with the winning numbers, Shillong Teer common numbers—direct, house, and ending numbers—will be updated today. These common numbers help players in predicting the winning combinations and are widely followed by enthusiasts.

Shillong Morning and Night Teer result today, June 23, 2025

The Shillong Teer game is conducted in multiple sessions, including the morning and night rounds. The morning Teer results are announced earlier in the day, while the night Teer results come later. Both rounds offer separate winning numbers and are equally important for players.

How to check Shillong Teer result today online?

Players can check the Shillong Teer Result today, June 23, 2025, on official websites itself.

The Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASA) organises and manages the Shillong Teer lottery. This unique archery-based game promotes traditional sports culture in Meghalaya while providing a legal betting platform for locals.

FAQs

1. When will the Shillong Teer Result for June 23, 2025, be announced?

Answer: The Shillong Teer results are announced twice daily, with the first round typically around 3:30-4:00 PM and the second round around 4:30-5:00 PM.

2. Where can I check the Shillong, Khanapara, and Juwai Teer results today?

Answer: Results can be checked on official Shillong Teer result websites that provide live updates on June 23, 2025.

3. What are Shillong Teer common numbers?

Answer: Common numbers are frequently drawn numbers used by players to predict winning combinations. These include direct, house, and ending numbers updated daily.

4. Is Shillong Teer played every day?

Answer:

Shillong Teer is played from Monday to Saturday and is not conducted on Sundays.

5. How is the Shillong Teer result determined?

Answer: The result is based on the number of arrows shot by archers in two rounds, with the total number of arrows hitting the target determining the winning number.

Disclaimer: The above mentioned data is based on information available from official online sources. We do not endorse or promote any lottery or Teer games. Please play responsibly and verify results through official channels.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.

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The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy

Last June, eight members of the board of directors for a licensing group called OneTeam Partners, which is co-owned by the players unions for five major sports leagues, signed a resolution that would have included the member unions in a plan to receive “profits units.” Those units, like traditional equity, could be turned into cash […]

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The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy

Last June, eight members of the board of directors for a licensing group called OneTeam Partners, which is co-owned by the players unions for five major sports leagues, signed a resolution that would have included the member unions in a plan to receive “profits units.” Those units, like traditional equity, could be turned into cash if the company did well.

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It was a move that raised alarms within at least one of the unions.

By late 2024, an official at the National Football League Players Association had repeatedly raised concerns that implementing the plan could mean that labor officials serving on OneTeam’s board of directors — including the head of the NFL players union, Lloyd Howell Jr., and the leader of the Major League Baseball players union, Tony Clark — were attempting to make a change that could lead to their own financial gain, potentially at the expense of union members.

The resolution, which was obtained by The Athletic, called for any eventual payouts — made through what is known as a senior employee incentive plan (SEIP) — to go to the unions the board members hail from. The resolution also directly acknowledged the possibility that the unions could then grant that money to their board members.

“The explicit goal throughout the process was to financially enrich the individuals who serve on the OTP Board as labor organization representatives,” the NFLPA official wrote to lawyers in a communication criticizing the plan, which was reviewed by The Athletic. “… the idea was to pay the money into the unions, then the individuals.”

In a statement to The Athletic, OneTeam said that though the plan was considered, it was ultimately abandoned.

“In early 2024, OneTeam initiated an exploratory review to determine whether the company could lawfully offer incentive-based compensation to current and prospective Board members,” OneTeam Partners said. “This exploratory effort was part of a broader initiative to assess strategies for attracting high-caliber, independent talent.

“Following the legal advice of a labor law expert, it was determined that the best practice, if implemented, was to make grants to the respective players associations. In so doing, any future payments would be governed by each union’s player-approved bylaws, policy, and governance frameworks.

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It added: “To be unequivocally clear: no OneTeam board member, nor any union employee, was directly or indirectly granted equity in OneTeam, holds equity in OneTeam or is a participant in its SEIP and any claim to the contrary is simply misinformed and false.”

Federal authorities are conducting an investigation related to OneTeam Partners and union officials. The full scope of the probe, which is being run out of the Eastern District of New York, is unclear. The Eastern District of New York declined to comment.

Five major sports unions hold stakes in OneTeam, the two largest belonging to the NFLPA and the Major League Baseball Players Association, which together own two-thirds of the company, according to people briefed on the business structure who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The NFLPA has 44 percent, the MLBPA 22 percent.

The unions representing players in Major League Soccer, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and the Women’s National Basketball Association own much smaller shares in OneTeam: 3.3 percent for MLS, .3 percent for the USWNTPA, and .2 percent for the WNBA, according to one of the people briefed on the structure.

Early this month, the FBI started calling MLB and NFL players or their representatives. Prosecutor David Berman is heading the federal investigation, said people briefed on its process who were not authorized to speak publicly.

With a federal investigation underway, the NFLPA has retained outside counsel separate from the outside lawyers retained by its executive director, Howell. Howell’s lawyer did not reply to requests for comment. “We’re guided by our responsibility to our members in everything we do and we will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation,” the NFLPA said in a statement to The Athletic.


MLBPA head Tony Clark was one of the forces behind the creation of OneTeam. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)

The MLBPA declined to comment Friday. That union too has retained outside counsel separate from its leader, Clark. His attorney did not return requests for comment.

The NFLPA official who voiced concern about the incentive plan wrote that they were concerned about the potential for various conflicts of interest. The official argued internally that the change to the plan could dilute the players’ existing stakes, which they held via their unions. The official also questioned whether the players were informed of how their financial interests might be affected.

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The NFLPA official’s email with lawyers shows talk of changing OneTeam’s SEIP dated to 2023, when a new CEO took over. In March 2024, OneTeam asked outside counsel whether there would be any issues granting union officials on its board participation in a SEIP, according to the same email. In response, the official wrote, the law firm flagged concerns regarding the National Labor Relations Act were any units to be granted directly to union board members.

Plans like SEIP are common in the business world. Companies use them to reward and lure top leaders, and the programs often grant traditional shares in a company. Private companies in particular will often grant something that operates similarly to shares but is not traditional equity, according to Chris Crawford, managing director for the executive compensation practice at the firm Gallagher.

“It’s not a publicly traded, readily tradable environment,” Crawford said. “It gets into these third-party transactions that get a little bit messy. The most common is by a generic term called ‘phantom stock.’”

Hence OneTeam’s use of “profits units.”

But ultimately, OneTeam is not a common business because it is largely owned by unions. Union officials have legal obligations to their members and their members’ interests, and most unions don’t have for-profit arms with the overlay of those governance concerns.

“The labor organizations’ representatives on the OTP Board are there as FIDUCIARIES representing their union members’ direct ownership interests in the Company — their legal duties are not to the Company generally, but rather their union members’ ownership in the company,” the NFLPA official wrote in the email to lawyers.

The union officials have their positions on OneTeam’s board because of their union roles, positions for which they are already compensated. Howell was paid $3.6 million by the NFLPA for the 12 months from March 2024 through February 2025, according to the union’s annual disclosure filed with the Department of Labor. Clark was paid $3.5 million for the 2024 calendar year, per the baseball union’s filing.

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The NFLPA has four seats on OneTeam’s board, and the MLBPA has three seats. Both Howell’s and Clark’s signatures appear on the resolution to change OneTeam’s senior employee incentive plan.

The unions representing players in MLS, the USWNT and the WNBA share one seat on the board that rotates. Only the signature of Becca Roux, the head of the USWNTPA, appears on the resolution from last year.

Roux, as well as Bob Foose, head of the MLSPA, and Terri Jackson, head of the WNBPA, have hired Steve McCool of McGuireWoods as outside counsel.

“I notified the prosecutor in New York that I represent a number of OTP board members,” McCool said by phone Friday. “My clients have no cause for concern and they are available to answer any questions the government may have about this matter.”

Outside investors own the remaining 30 percent of OneTeam that is not owned by unions.

The SEIP resolution called for the NFLPA to receive 44 percent of the new plan units available to the board, and the MLBPA 33 percent. The other three unions were in line to receive 3.7 percent each. The outside investors on the board were not going to receive any new incentive units, the resolution said.

Such an arrangement has the potential to create at least the appearance of a conflict of interest, according to Lee Adler, a labor lawyer with no involvement in the matter who has long worked as counsel to unions.

“Is there something in that set of criteria for the incentive that might have some influence on how or what the union officials who sit on the board actually end up … legislating (at OneTeam)?” asked Adler, a lecturer at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

NFLPA employees said at a meeting in November 2024 that they expected payments via SEIP would be $200,000 to $300,000, the NFLPA official wrote in the email.

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Sports unions have moved aggressively to capitalize on their players’ branding rights. The MLBPA and NFLPA were among the founders of OneTeam in 2019. Both unions already had for-profit arms that handled licensing business, and those arms still exist today. But they were betting that a company with aggregated rights would have greater leverage.

The venture has been a boon not only for the unions but also for the private equity investors who partnered with them. RedBird Capital cashed out its 40 percent stake in 2022, when the company had a $1.9 billion valuation.

The windfalls from name, image and licensing rights carry a slew of gains for athletes, including bolstering traditional labor objectives like collective bargaining. The NFLPA reported about $101 million in revenue from OneTeam from early 2024 into 2025, and the MLBPA about $45 million for 2024. But both the baseball and football unions have been wrapped up in public controversy this year over, in part, OneTeam.

Late last year, an anonymous complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board levied allegations at Clark, including concerns over equity from OneTeam. The football union, where internal complaints had already been lodged, then brought on an outside firm, Linklaters, to conduct a review.

The NFLPA has not publicized that firm’s findings. But in March, in an email reviewed by The Athletic, Howell notified OneTeam’s board of directors that Linklaters found the NFLPA and OneTeam had been in compliance.

(Top photo of Lloyd Howell Jr.: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

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Week in review: Nebraska volleyball fills out 2027 recruiting class | Husker Red Zone

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