New NFLPA Exec Dir Smith Chosen For Leadership Ability, CBA Plans

Smith Won Over Players With Leadership Style

The NFLPA's 32 player reps last night selected DC-based attorney DeMaurice Smith as the union's new Exec Dir, replacing late Exec Dir Gene Upshaw, and Smith was "elected on the first ballot" and "introduced to a standing ovation," according to Jaymes Song of the AP. Rams OT Adam Goldberg: "It'll be the start of a very good time for the union." Many players said that they were "sold on Smith's no-nonsense style of leadership, ability to unite, and enthusiasm to move the union forward," while his "lack of NFL experience actually worked in Smith's favor." Cowboys TE Jason Witten said Smith is "confident, he's very straightforward with what his goals are, and what he wants to do." Song notes the voting took place "by secret ballot collected in a Reebok shoe box." When the vote was announced, Smith told the player reps, "Let's get to work." Smith has "ties to President Barack Obama" (AP, 3/16). In DC, Mark Maske notes Smith was born in DC and "remains an enthusiastic Redskins fan." Smith served as a prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office in DC for 10 years, serving as "counsel to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., then the deputy U.S. attorney general" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/16).

RUNAWAY FAVORITE: Sources indicated that Smith "seized control of the favorite's role" Saturday when he "wowed ... player representatives with an hourlong presentation, heavy on detail, regarding his plan to lead the union in its upcoming [CBA] negotiations with the NFL." Smith told player reps that he "would be able to prompt Congressional pressure on the NFL to bargain in good faith," and he "mentioned to the players that he felt some of that bargaining pressure could be created through Congress challenging the league's tax exempt status, as well as its long-held anti-trust exemption." An NFLPA source said Smith "gave a plan, a detailed account of how to win (against the NFL), in the CBA negotiations." The source: "It was a plan that reached the players, because it was concise and detailed and had a strategy to it. It was an outline to follow. In short, he made them believe he is a winner." Another union source said Smith was "just the best candidate." SI.com's Don Banks reports as Smith's position "grew in strength, there were some union board members believed to be in favor of having Smith name" Exec Dir candidate and former NFLPA President Trace Armstrong as Assistant Exec Dir. It is "not known whether or not Armstrong would have accepted such a position" (SI.com, 3/16).

Briefing On Background Checks May Have Damaged Vincent's Candidacy For Position

NEW PERSPECTIVE: In N.Y., Judy Battista notes Smith has "no background in sports or labor law." His victory was a "surprise," and also was a "departure for a union that had long been believed to favor a former player" as Exec Dir. Smith ran on a platform of "having a comprehensive business plan -- he has represented major corporations -- emphasizing not only the [CBA], but also marketing and licensing deals and relations with retired players, for whom Smith said the union has a 'moral and business obligation.'" The move "may be a sign of how concerned players are about the coming collective bargaining negotiations with team owners." The meeting in Maui "mirrored the tenor of the search," as a source indicated that it was "frequently contentious and heated." Battista notes player reps Saturday night "received a two-hour briefing on the detailed background checks performed on each candidate by an outside security firm." The source said that the briefing "might have damaged" the candidacy of former NFLPA President Troy Vincent because it "addressed his controversial business dealings." The source added that the findings "did not reflect well on Vincent, to the surprise of some of his colleagues" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/16). ESPN.com's John Clayton wrote Smith's selection "may have been a surprise, but in many ways, the union decided it needed a fresh approach." Despite being a "perceived outsider, Smith should work out well for the NFLPA" (ESPN.com, 3/15). In Chicago, Dan Pompei writes the selection "could only be considered a stunning upset" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/16).

TIME TO GET TO WORK: USA TODAY's Jim Corbett writes Smith's "conciliatory and crisis management skills will be tested with labor peace at stake for a popular industry that exceeds annual revenues" of $6B (USATODAY.com, 3/16). Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy: "I know that owners have been criticized a little bit by the union -- how come you haven't negotiated with [NFLPA interim Exec Dir Richard Berthelsen]. But our sense was it really made sense to wait until they had their leadership in place" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/15). In California, Phil Barber wrote, "I have one specific hope for Smith's tenure: Follow the NBA's lead and establish a rookie wage cap." Barber: "We've fallen into a system where high draft picks eat up a disproportionate amount of the pie, to the detriment of veterans who have proved they can excel in the NFL and contribute to wins" (PRESSDEMOCRAT.com, 3/15). ESPN's Len Elmore said Smith's first action should be to "patch up the union’s embarrassing and public family feud among themselves and with retirees." With CBA negotiations "loom(ing) in the future, that would be an ideal time for the new Executive Director to act on behalf of the powerless and somewhat voiceless among their bretheren" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/15).