NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith will now face at least six challengers in an election for the union’s top executive position. Former NFLPA Staff Counsel Arthur McAfee and Michigan attorney Jim Acho both confirmed yesterday that they are official candidates for the election to be held March 15 in Hawaii. In order to be placed on the ballot, a candidate must get the written nominations of three of the 32 player reps. Additionally, USA Today reported, and a source confirmed to THE DAILY, that former NFLer Robert Griffith has also obtained the required nominations to be on the ballot for the election. The other challengers are former NFLer Sean Gilbert, sports and labor attorney Andrew Smith, and former Navy Admiral and NFLer John Stufflebeem. To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of votes from the 32 player reps (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer).
PLATFORMS & POSTURING: Acho yesterday said that he "wants to bring more transparency" to the position. Acho: "These reps, the majority of them are clueless. They are kept in the dark by the NFLPA, and I will promise transparency. We'll open up the books. Every penny will be accounted for, they'll know about it. We won't make any moves without clearing it through the executive committee and the reps." In Detroit, Dave Birkett notes Acho's platform "includes long-term health-care benefits for all players after they retire until they're eligible for Medicare, the elimination of organized team activities, mandatory 100% spending of the salary cap and a three-year maximum on rookie contracts in exchange for an 18-game season with four exhibition games." Acho said he wants to get across to players they "need somebody that's not afraid to go toe to toe" with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Acho: "I'm not intimidated by the guy, I'm not intimidated by the league, and I'll take them on" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/5). Meanwhile, USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell noted McAfee "would not provide specifics about the platform he will share during his presentation to players, but contends that he can maximize" the rest of the CBA that runs through '20 and "reposition the NFLPA's leverage." McAfee: "The players are interested in hearing different voices." Bell noted McAfee was a "close adviser" to late NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw "during a 17-year tenure as staff counsel for the union, a position he held" until '12 when he was not retained (USATODAY.com, 3/4).
