Stephen Dubner

When players get to choose their team, they usually go with the highest dollar offer. But there are other factors to consider. How good is the team? Most players want to play for winners. How good is the coaching staff and how secure? If they're in danger of getting fired, you may be too. You might consider the weather. Are you a Miami guy or a Minnesota guy?

And maybe you will also consider the workplace conditions at your new club. How good is the locker room and the weight room? What about the food? How does the team treat your family members on game day? Those are the kind of questions most of us wouldn't think to ask. But Joseph Carl Tretter Jr. isn't most people.

And maybe you will also consider the workplace conditions at your new club. How good is the locker room and the weight room? What about the food? How does the team treat your family members on game day? Those are the kind of questions most of us wouldn't think to ask. But Joseph Carl Tretter Jr. isn't most people.

And maybe you will also consider the workplace conditions at your new club. How good is the locker room and the weight room? What about the food? How does the team treat your family members on game day? Those are the kind of questions most of us wouldn't think to ask. But Joseph Carl Tretter Jr. isn't most people.

When we interviewed Tretter for this episode, he was president of the NFL Players Association. His tenure ended in 2024, and he was succeeded by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maben. You'll hear from him a little later in this episode. I asked Tretter to start with his college background.

When we interviewed Tretter for this episode, he was president of the NFL Players Association. His tenure ended in 2024, and he was succeeded by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maben. You'll hear from him a little later in this episode. I asked Tretter to start with his college background.

When we interviewed Tretter for this episode, he was president of the NFL Players Association. His tenure ended in 2024, and he was succeeded by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maben. You'll hear from him a little later in this episode. I asked Tretter to start with his college background.

The election, Tretter mentioned, was for the union presidency. He had a long, successful career in the NFL, nine seasons as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns with around $45 million in career earnings. He retired in 2022 at age 31, and he had two years left on his term as union president.

The election, Tretter mentioned, was for the union presidency. He had a long, successful career in the NFL, nine seasons as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns with around $45 million in career earnings. He retired in 2022 at age 31, and he had two years left on his term as union president.

The election, Tretter mentioned, was for the union presidency. He had a long, successful career in the NFL, nine seasons as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns with around $45 million in career earnings. He retired in 2022 at age 31, and he had two years left on his term as union president.

This being the workplace survey of all current NFL players, which the union had been talking about for years. And then as we saw the responses start pouring in, this is kind of a proof of concept that

This being the workplace survey of all current NFL players, which the union had been talking about for years. And then as we saw the responses start pouring in, this is kind of a proof of concept that

This being the workplace survey of all current NFL players, which the union had been talking about for years. And then as we saw the responses start pouring in, this is kind of a proof of concept that

What would be in a five rated locker room and what would be in or maybe missing from a one rated locker room?

What would be in a five rated locker room and what would be in or maybe missing from a one rated locker room?

What would be in a five rated locker room and what would be in or maybe missing from a one rated locker room?

Three were about the physical facilities. The locker room, weight room and training room. That's where a player goes for a massage or the hot tub or to get an injury treated. There was one question about nutrition. How well does each team feed and hydrate the players? Also travel. How comfortable are the airplane seats? How about the hotel rooms? And do you have to have a roommate?

Three were about the physical facilities. The locker room, weight room and training room. That's where a player goes for a massage or the hot tub or to get an injury treated. There was one question about nutrition. How well does each team feed and hydrate the players? Also travel. How comfortable are the airplane seats? How about the hotel rooms? And do you have to have a roommate?

Three were about the physical facilities. The locker room, weight room and training room. That's where a player goes for a massage or the hot tub or to get an injury treated. There was one question about nutrition. How well does each team feed and hydrate the players? Also travel. How comfortable are the airplane seats? How about the hotel rooms? And do you have to have a roommate?

The survey also asked how well the team takes care of the players' families during the games. Is there, for instance, a place for your mom or maybe your wife and young kids to watch where they won't get pelted by beers? And finally, the survey asked about the training staff and the strength staff, but interestingly, not the coaching staff.