Journalist Pablo Torre said the NFL is monitoring his media appearances after he reported on his podcast on Tuesday that the league allegedly colluded with its 32 franchises to avoid needing to give veteran star quarterbacks guaranteed money “not long after” the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
During an appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show” on Wednesday, the Meadowlark Media personality alleged that the league “fought really hard” to keep it quiet after Torre obtained a 61-page legal filing as result of an arbitration hearing.
This includes witness testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, eight NFL owners, NFLPA, leaders, agents, executives and shows that the NFL attempted to collude with owners.
“I would say that as the NFL’s monitoring my media appearances, which they are, I just like that they had to listen to that as well,” Torre said without elaborating further.
“Look, Dan, I just need to stress that this is a document that neither the league nor the owners nor the union wanted out. They fought extremely hard. [Pro Football Talk’s Mike] Florio — the sell on this is that Mike Florio is as plugged into this as anybody — he’s as fluent and obsessive about this stuff as anybody, NFL palace intrigue and the law, and he couldn’t get it.”
According to Torre, System Arbitrator Christopher Droney wrote in his January 2025 ruling that, “‘There is little question that the NFL management council, with the blessing of the NFL commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans’ contracts at the March 2022 owners meeting.’”
The arbitrator ultimately ruled in the NFL’s favor.
Goodell has yet to address the situation publicly.
“Everybody is trying to figure out how I got this document because that’s how much it means to them,” Torre added.
Torre discussed the alleged document in a statement.
“Unearthing this document unlocked one of the most fascinating stories I’ve ever investigated, in large part because it’s about what extremely powerful people — league officials, billionaire owners, and union leaders — have fought so hard to hide,” Torre told Awful Announcing. “And why? Because I’m a journalist, my personal philosophy is that more sunlight is needed, not less.”
In May, Torre made headlines for his investigation into UNC head football coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson’s relationship — alleging Belichick’s family and UNC brᴀss were concerned about the former Bridgewater State University cheerleader’s influence on his career.
