Demaurice Smith

DeMaurice Smith could reasonably be named the master of dealmaking, having negotiated two contentious NFL collective bargaining agreements on behalf of its players union. The 2020 NFL CBA results in an additional $1.6B to players over the life of the deal. Smith was the unanimous choice when he was elected as the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) in 2009. Over his 14-year tenure, Smith stood unwaveringly in the players’ best interests. Along the way, he exposed the game’s inherent inequalities and advocated for a safer and more just organization.