Not many seem to be troubled by the fact that supposedly confidential information under the substance-abuse and PED policy is routinely leaked to the media. Often, the NFL blatantly violates its own confidentiality provision by reporting on the leaks, through the media conglomerate owned and operated by the league.
Agent Ken Sarnoff is rightfully troubled by the leaks that resulted in the public being aware that Eagles tackle Lane Johnson is facing a second violation of the PED policy.
Via Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal, Sarnoff has issued a statement regarding Lane Johnson’s situation.
“The NFLPA is paid to represent the players and put their rights and interests first,” Sarnoff said. “I expect the NFLPA to do what Lane and every other NFL player pays it to do. That said, I am very concerned about any leak of a player’s protected health information. The NFLPA should be troubled by this as well and I trust that it will take all appropriate steps to determine the cause of any leak and remediate this issue immediately.”
The first part of Sarnoff’s statement could be interpreted as a slap at the union for going public with its position regarding Johnson’s claim that the NFLPA failed to test the supplement that he claim was approved but that was nevertheless tainted. If a player, however, is going to inaccurately blame the union for failing to do something the union has no obligation to do, the union needs to set the record straight.
The bigger question is whether the NFLPA will take steps to initiate an investigation regarding the leak. Given that one of the reports regarding Lane Johnson was published by the league itself, an interesting question will arise if/when the reporter who confirmed the news that Lane Johnson is facing a suspension under the PED policy is summoned to 345 Park Avenue to tell the man who signs his paycheck who blabbed.
