NFLPA Sends Letter to ESPN About False Statements in 'Broke'

Complained of "several erroneous statements" made about organization's financial advisor program

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/4/2012 2:24:16 PM

The NFL Players Association on Wednesday sent a letter to ESPN, claiming that the network's sports business reporter Darren Rovell made "several erroneous statements" about the NFLPA's financial advisor program.

The comments in questions were featured in an interview with Rovell that was part of the network's "30 for 30" documentary film, Broke, which details how many former professional athletes lose their money after retirement. Those errors were also published in an online column that ran Tuesday.

The NFLPA said there were three main inaccurate comments that Rovell made: 1) That the NFLPA Financial Advisor Registration program generates revenue for the NFLPA, 2) He stated "repeatedly" that NFLPA Registered Financial Advisors are certified by the NFLPA -- the letter states "they are registered after meeting requirements and passing a background check" -- and 3) he incorrectly said that "players cannot choose a financial advisor outside the program."

In the grievance, the NFLPA argued that it was contacted "multiple times dating back to March 2012" by an ESPN staffer fact checking for Broke, stating that it answered questions with a "prompt, thorough, accurate response.

"Despite these efforts, though, we were disappointed to see the flippant, inaccurate comments made by this media personality in the film. When it comes to the NFLPA, Rovell has a track record of bad analysis and uninformed opinion."

ESPN has since made a correction to Rovell's online story.

The full letter is available on the NFLPA's website.