2025-26 NFLPA Data Analytics Case Competition
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is the union that represents the players of the National Football League (NFL). In March 2020, the NFLPA secured the current CBA, effective through March 2031. This agreement includes several key improvements for its members, such as a larger share of revenue, expanded rosters, substantial increases in minimum salaries, enhanced benefits for both active and retired players, and strengthened health and safety protocols.
Data analytics continue to play an essential role in supporting long-term success among elite athletes. In the NFLPA Data Analytics Case Competition, participants are tasked with thoughtfully examining this year's prompt and conducting an in-depth analysis within a chosen focus area using publicly available data sources.
Overview
In its second annual Analytics Case Competition, the NFLPA invites university students (undergraduate or graduate) to address the following challenge:
How do the cumulative effects of workload throughout the season impact key metrics such as player performance, injury risk, earnings or team wins and losses? What policies or CBA provisions have contributed to any insights you identify? Finally, what 2-3 priorities should the NFLPA focus on to better advocate for the interests of players relating to cumulative workload?
Focus Area Examples: Addition of a second bye, compressed game schedule, crossing time zones, field surface type, international travel, length of season, player workload and performance, position of the bye week, relationship between earnings and playtime, types of injury, injury rates, and games lost due to injury, undercompensated players based on playtime, variable rest differentials, west-to-east coast travel, and other factors.
Data Source Examples: NFL Gamebooks (GSIS), Official Injury Reports, nflverse, Over The Cap
Deliverable
Submissions should include a short executive summary (less than a page) along with a more detailed write-up of results and findings, which can include up to 10 tables/visualizations and no more than 2000 words. Most code should be hidden in an appendix or submitted via a GitHub link. However, teams may include code in their writeup if it helps readers better understand their analysis. Data sources used should be publicly available and cited where appropriate. Teams selected as finalists will create a slide deck for their in-person presentations.
Key Dates
October 8, 2025: Competition Opens
October 14-15, 2025: Virtual Office Hours
November - December: Additional virtual office hours may be announced
January 6, 2026: Submissions Due
January 13, 2026*: Finalists Notified
January 28-29, 2026: Finalist Presentation (Washington, DC)
February 5, 2026: Winners Announced
*Notification date subject to change based on number of submissions
Evaluation Criteria
Initial submissions will be reviewed by members of the NFLPA’s leadership team based on the following criteria:
- The rationale behind how your team evaluates the cumulative effects of workload through the season.
- The cleaning and incorporation of relevant data and validity of methods to effectively analyze your area of focus.
- The feasibility of your proposed approach for more effective advocacy for players with respect to cumulative workload impacts, considering both the union’s and management’s perspectives.
Five finalist teams will be selected to present their findings to the NFLPA’s executive leadership and other special industry guests at its Washington, DC office. These presentations will be evaluated on:
- The clarity and effectiveness in explaining the cumulative effects of workload as it relates to your specific area of focus.
- The quality of recommendations for advancing the proposed approach, from both union and management - viewpoints.
- The ability to thoroughly defend the overall recommendations.
The panel of judges will choose the winning teams and award $30,000 in cash, prizes, and exciting surprises for the winning teams.
Next Steps
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form that will ask you to provide the following information:
- Subject: 2025 NFLPA Case Competition.
- Name, school, major and graduation year for each team member. Note: each team can have no more than 4 members.
- Faculty advisor (as appropriate)
Final submissions should be emailed to Data@nflpa.com with your team's official name in the subject line along with the words "Final Submission". You should also include each of your team members' full names in the body of your submission email.
Feel free to contact Data@nflpa.com with any questions. Good luck!
Find the full press release here.