"Real Sports" Tackles NFL-NFLPA Conflict; Mehri To Challenge Smith

HBO’s “Real Sports” last night explored the relationship between the NFL and NFLPA, with host Bryant Gumbel noting as the NFL is set to kick off a new season the "owners and the players union are once again at odds." NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith said the owners "wanted to make more money" than they do under the current CBA. Gumbel noted NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced a new domestic violence policy would be created with input from the NFLPA, but then "doesn't consult the union" and "comes up with a new policy." Smith: "He lied." Gumbel: “Do you trust him?” Smith: “I don't have the luxury of trust, now do I?”

Meanwhile, DC-based lawyer Cyrus Mehri also appeared on the show and said, “I'm going to throw my hat in the ring to challenge De Smith for the leadership of the NFLPA.” Mehri: “The more I saw how unfair the last CBA deal was, the more I felt I had to answer the call” (“Real Sports,” HBO, 8/22).