In 2025, former NFL Players Association executive director, Lloyd Howell, hid an arbitration ruling that indicated that the NFL had invited teams to collude over guaranteed contracts. Current NFLPA executive director JC Tretter informed the NFLPA's board of player representatives about the ruling, which affirmed the finding that the league had encouraged and encouraged clubs to reduce salary guarantees and bonuses. This could potentially be used as a tool for the Department of Justice's investigation into the NFL for potential antitrust violations. The league's association with the NFLP gives it a specific antitrust exemption, allowing it to impose certain rules on the selection, payment, and movement of employees.