The NFL is once again facing uncomfortable questions about its associations, this time over its decision to retain a lawyer whose name has surfaced in connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brad Karp, a prominent attorney who previously led law firm Paul Weiss, stepped down from that role in February after emails revealed his communication with Epstein. Despite that revelation, the league has chosen to keep Karp on as outside counsel for major litigation, including the ongoing legal battle with former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO), who didn't mince words when speaking to The Athletic. “It’s one of those things that’s lawful, but awful,” Bell said. “The NFL, considering the place they hold in our society — much less with kids — I think should be very sensitive to the people they associate with. Very questionable, I think.”
Not the First Epstein Link in NFL Circles
This isn't the first time the league has been dragged into Epstein's orbit. Earlier this year, it emerged that New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch had corresponded with Epstein in 2013, with reports indicating Epstein provided “scouting reports” on women for Tisch.
Tisch acknowledged the exchange, expressing deep regret. “We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments,” he said. “I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Shortly after those revelations, the Tisch family — Steve, Laurie, and Jonathan — moved to transfer their ownership stakes in the Giants to trusts for their children, a transaction that drew further scrutiny.
The NFL's continued reliance on Karp echoes broader questions about accountability in professional sports, similar to the scrutiny faced by other organizations over controversial decisions that prioritize business over ethics. Critics argue the league, which markets itself as family-friendly, should hold its partners to a higher standard.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not publicly addressed the Karp situation, but the league's silence only amplifies the perception that it is willing to overlook troubling associations when legal expertise is at stake. For a league that has invested heavily in image repair after past scandals, this choice feels like a step backward.
As the 2026 season approaches, the question lingers: how many more Epstein connections will surface before the NFL reconsiders its circle of trust?
