• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

Union Leaders for MLB, NFL, NHL Support Writer’s Strike 

  • “The people on the other side, I hate to tell you this, they don’t give a (expletive) about you,” MLBPA’s Bruce Meyer says as Rob Manfred gets a contract extension.
  • NFLPA’s Lloyd Howell on union solidarity: “As you can see most recently with our running backs, it’s ongoing.”
The NFLPA's Lloyd Howell, MLBPA's Bruce Meyer, and NHLPA's Marty Walsh all showed solidarity with the WGA.
Photo by Andrew Cohen.

NEW YORK – Leaders from three major sports unions attended a picket line event held Wednesday to support the Writer’s Guild of America’s ongoing labor strike facing Hollywood.

Speakers at the WGA’s Sports Solidarity Day held outside CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan included new NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell, MLBPA deputy executive director Bruce Meyer, and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh.

“All of the years I’ve been representing unions, I’ve learned one or two things. The people on the other side, I hate to tell you this, they don’t give a shit about you,” Meyer said to loud applause. “All they care about is power—they don’t care about the strength of your arguments. They don’t care about what’s fair. They don’t care what’s right. All they recognize is power. What power do you have over fat cats? What power do we have over 30 billionaires who we sit across the table from? The power you have is what you’re doing right now. The power you have is the power to withhold your services. That’s what it’s all about for a union.”

Meyer, a sports lawyer at the MLBPA since 2018 and was previously at the NHLPA, detailed the collective bargaining issues he and MLBPA leader Tony Clark have fought for in recent years, including historic salary increases for minor leaguers. 

“We fought with the league in 2020, when they wanted us to give them almost a billion dollars of our players’ salaries just because Covid was tough on them. We fought in 2021 when they locked us out,” Meyer said. “Recently, we represented the minor leaguers who had never been unionized. Basically, the owners have been treating them like shit for decades. We formed a union, we did it quickly, and took the other side by surprise. They had to agree to things that they never had before—basic protections that union members have, a grievance procedure, basic due process, and of course doubling and tripling their salaries.”

Howell, who the NFLPA selected in June to succeed DeMaurice Smith, mentioned the deflation of running back salaries in his speech, sympathizing with the writer’s strike.

“We’re behind you; it’s very important to our union that we show a unified front,” Howell said. “As you can see most recently with our running backs, it’s ongoing. “We’ve got representatives for former NFL players that are also members of WGA, also in SAG. We will continue to work with you on all your efforts and what you’re trying to get done because, in many ways, we’re trying to get the same things done in our union.”

Howell recalled holding picket signs as a child in the 1970s alongside his mother, a school teacher in Philadelphia fighting for better wages. Howell was previously chief financial officer at Booz Allen, the defense contractor that recently paid a $377 million fraud settlement to the U.S. government.  

“You always are going to be fighting—every day, every hour—it’s a constant battle. I know, I used to be on the other side of the table,” Howell said Wednesday. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Ovi

Capitals Say Ovechkin Retirement Email Was Sent in Error

Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time scoring leader and has one Stanley Cup. 

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Former Seton Hall Baseball Player Sues Over Sexualized Hazing

The student says the coach knew about the hazing and failed to act.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Sha'Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Startup Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of ‘advisor owners’ with equity in the league.
Softball
May 29, 2025

MLB Makes Eight-Figure Investment in New Softball League 

Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball announced the deal Thursday morning.
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
May 28, 2025

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

F1 will race in Monaco until at least 2031.
May 28, 2025

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.
May 28, 2025

PGA Tour’s $100M Playoffs Alter Bonus Payout for Tour Championship

The Tour Championship will no longer award $25 million to its winner.
Apr 25, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum.
May 28, 2025

Marc Lasry: NBA Valuations Won’t Keep Skyrocketing

Lasry sold his Bucks stake in 2023 at a 218% increase over the 2014 purchase price.