NFLPA Board of Player Representatives Elects JC Tretter as Executive Director
SAN DIEGO, CA. — The NFL Players Association today announced that its Board of Player Representatives has elected JC Tretter as the union’s next executive director following a comprehensive, player-driven search process.
Tretter brings a rare combination of on-field experience and labor leadership, having been chosen by his fellow players to serve as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024 after a nine-year NFL career. He helped support and protect players through the COVID 19 pandemic, negotiated key CBA amendments, and launched the NFLPA’s Team Report Cards - raising transparency, accountability, and standards league-wide to benefit all players.
The NFLPA said in a statement: On behalf of the Board of Player Representatives, we are proud to welcome JC Tretter as our new executive director and confident in the leadership that he will bring to our union. This decision reflects the responsibility our Board of Player Representatives carries on behalf of every player. We conducted a thorough, deliberate search to identify the right long-term leader to deliver sustained, meaningful progress for our members. JC earned the trust of our Board and demonstrated a clear commitment to serving this membership. We’re excited about what’s ahead.
"As our union moves into this next chapter, we’d like to thank David White for his steadfast leadership and dedication over the past seven months, which brought stability and focus back to our union.”
As the NFLPA’s fifth executive director, Tretter will report to the Board of Player Representatives and serve the union’s full membership.
“There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. That’s where I am today. I’m grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I’m going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union. My sole goal is to build up the strength of the NFLPA,” Tretter said. “I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with player leadership. This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been. The NFLPA needs leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts players first every day. That’s exactly how I plan to lead.”
Tretter's election culminates one of the most rigorous searches in the union’s 70-year history, spearheaded by the NFLPA’s Executive Committee in partnership with independent executive search firm TurnkeyZRG. More than 300 candidates were considered from five primary backgrounds: football, other professional sports, government, labor, and executive management.
Led by players at every stage, the search process was executed in accordance with the NFLPA Constitution, incorporating best practices in union governance through guidance from general and outside counsel.
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About the NFL Players Association:
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the NFL and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of protecting the health, safety and financial future of its more than 2,000 player members, who are the backbone of North America’s most popular and highest revenue-generating sport. Through a wide offering of programs, resources and engagement opportunities, the NFLPA provides world-class service to players throughout their career lifecycle and builds solidarity to advocate on their behalf in the areas of healthcare, revenue, compensation and working conditions. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at nflpa.com.