NFL Wins Grievance Against Players' Union, Prohibits Public Team Report Cards

The league successfully argued the report cards violated the collective bargaining agreement.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NFL has won a grievance against the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), prohibiting the union from publicly releasing its annual team report cards that assess factors like player treatment, facilities, and coaching. The league argued the report cards violated the collective bargaining agreement, and an arbitrator agreed, ruling the union cannot disparage teams through the report card process.

Why it matters

The report cards had become a closely watched annual event, providing players with a transparent look at how teams are rated on key issues. The NFL's victory means this public accountability measure will no longer be available, raising questions about how player feedback and concerns will be addressed going forward.

The details

The NFLPA started conducting and distributing the anonymous player survey results, which led to letter grade 'report cards' for NFL teams, in 2023. The most recent report cards assessed factors like team treatment of player families, food, facilities, coaching, and more. However, the league argued the report card process violated the collective bargaining agreement, and an arbitrator agreed, ruling the union cannot publicly disparage teams through the report cards.

  • The NFLPA began releasing the team report cards in 2023.
  • The most recent report cards were released in February 2025.

The players

NFL

The National Football League, the professional American football league.

NFLPA

The National Football League Players Association, the labor union that represents professional football players in the United States.

Arizona Cardinals

A professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona that received the worst overall rating among NFL teams in the 2025 NFLPA report cards.

Miami Dolphins

A professional American football team based in Miami, Florida that ranked #1 out of 32 teams in the 2025 NFLPA report cards.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, upholding the parties' collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through 'report cards' allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose.”

— Brian McCarthy, NFL Spokesman (UPI)

What’s next

The league's management council plans to work with the NFLPA to conduct a joint scientific survey of players' opinions regarding the adequacy of medical care under the collective bargaining agreement in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

This decision marks a significant victory for the NFL in its ongoing power struggle with the players' union. While the report cards provided valuable transparency, the league has successfully argued they violated the CBA, eliminating this public accountability measure. Going forward, the focus will be on developing a new joint survey process, raising questions about how player concerns will be addressed without the report card system.