Arthur McAfee

An experienced professional and collegiate sports attorney with executive experience in the economics of sports, labor and employment, negotiations, organizing, strategic planning, policymaking, and business development. Experience as Staff Counsel for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) included negotiating provisions of the NFL/NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and representing NFL players in labor arbitration and disciplinary hearings against the National Football League and National Football League Clubs. Currently a partner with a results-focused consulting group that delivers business and legal affairs strategy to sports leagues, associations, organizations, agents, athletes and individuals associated with the sports industry. Utilizing the expertise of several industry executives with extensive relationships, the group is recognized across a broad spectrum of the sports industries, including marketing, strategy, brand management, corporate partnerships, event development and management, digital media, licensing, media relations, athlete marketing and management and community outreach. Career highlights include:

• Mature relationships with influential sports industry athletes, executives, stakeholders and organizations;

• Participation in the negotiation of the 2011 NFLPA\NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement;

• Negotiation and representation of NFL players under the NFLPA/NFL Policy and Program for Substance Abuse and the Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances resulting in reduced suspension, fines or continued compliance in the best interest of the player;

• Recovery of between $500K and $2M annually in salary and benefits in decisions and negotiation settlements during representation of NFL players in labor arbitration; and

• Recovery of fines for NFL policy violations of nearly $1M annually during representation of NFL players in disciplinary matters under the NFL Uniform Game Day and Personal Conduct Policies.

Prominent sports attorney ARTHUR MCAFEE has been named Senior Vice President of Player Engagement, the NFL announced today.

McAfee will oversee the NFL Player Engagement staff – part of the NFL Football Operations team under the direction of Executive Vice President TROY VINCENT – which assists players in reaching their highest potential on and off the field by providing guidance, support and resources before, during and after their NFL experiences.

“Arthur brings a distinguished body of work in player advocacy to our team,” Vincent said. “His vast experience will further assist our department in advancing the game by serving all players – past, present and future.”

McAfee, who begins his new role on August 1, is a founding partner of The McAfee Group, a consulting firm that advises sports leagues and organizations – including the US Women’s National Soccer Team Players Association and the USA Track & Field Athletes Advisory Council – agents, athletes and others on sports-related business and legal affairs. Prior to that, McAfee was a staff counsel for the NFL Players Association and an enforcement representative for the NCAA.

McAfee, a graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University School of Law, has also taught sports law, contracts and negotiation at Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to maximize the resources and network of the NFL to improve the NFL experience for the entire player community,” McAfee said.

NFL Player Engagement serves, educates, and assists current and former players and their families to achieve a successful, well-balanced, and healthy life during and after their playing experience. Through a unique system of resource distribution, Player Engagement offers league-activated services and empowers club Directors of Player Engagement with programs and offerings that foster success both on and off the field. Through Player Engagement, the entire NFL family has access to NFL Total Wellness. Total Wellness focuses on four areas that are critical to success in life: physical, emotional, personal, and financial strength. Each has a rich set of tools, resources, ideas, and inspiration supported through Player Engagement.