Arbitrator Bans NFLPA Public Team Report Cards

An arbitrator has ruled in favor of the National Football League in a grievance against the NFL Players Association, prohibiting the union from publicly releasing its annual team report cards that graded franchises on workplace conditions. The decision, detailed in a league memorandum dated February 13, 2026, was announced to all 32 teams on Friday.

The report cards, initiated by the NFLPA in 2023, involved surveys of more than 1,000 players who evaluated their teams on a scale from A to F across 11 categories. These included treatment of families, food and dining areas, locker rooms, training facilities, weight rooms, travel accommodations, and ownership. The results provided overall rankings and specific feedback, with the Miami Dolphins receiving the highest marks in the most recent survey and the Arizona Cardinals the lowest. The union published the findings on its website each year for three seasons, aiming to inform free agents about team environments and encourage improvements in player services and facilities.

The NFL argued that the public disclosures violated the collective bargaining agreement by disparaging clubs and individuals without disclosing underlying data or...