Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game

by DeMaurice Smith

An upcoming book to be published by Penguin Random House.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Football, History, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Katie Esposito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong 3/verging on 4

Really interesting memoir style telling of De’s time as head of the NFL Players Association and many of the relationships built with players, owners, and Goodell as well as insights into many of the rights he advocated for and some of the larger scandals that happened during his time (Deflategate, Bountygate, Deshawn Watson, etc).

I don’t think anyone would be surprised to find out that a lot of the owners, especially some of the high visibility ones like Kraft and Jerry, have questionable morals and bypass the best interest of the players and fans to make more money. It was interesting seeing a closer look into Goodell’s relationships with the owners and how it’s shaped his decision making and the public’s perception of him.

Really sad to see how the Ravens owner Bisciotti leans in his beliefs and some of the poor decisions he’s made. Also really great to see some more prominent players advocating for players rights with their participation in the NFLPA and equally as disappointing hearing about other loveable players siding with owners instead of their fellow teammates.

Would definitely recommend for sports fans interested in the behind the scenes and politics of sports. And yes, it is highly policial in many ways. And also yes, Aaron Rodgers is still a weirdo.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that portrays the National Football League as all seashells, ponies, balloons, and America's Game, you will not find that here. The author is a labor leader from the Marvin Miller School, and he is unstinting in portraying the NFL as run by a collective of greedy bastards out to wring every possible dollar out of the sport, aided by a compliant commissioner and a public that just wants the damned game every fall weekend. His devotion to the cause is absolute, even when it comes to cases like Ray Rice, Deflategate, and Bountygate, and the author doesn't shirk away from his sour feelings about abusive players, even as he recognizes his responsibilities to protect the rights of those players. With all that, perhaps the most interesting thread in the book is the author's realization that many of the players he represents do not share the same commitment to labor justice. You wonder what he would make of the current turmoil surrounding the NFLPA's leadership.

[Nicholas Ferrante · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty partisan, almost like Smith is arguing a case more than telling a story. It definitely has that NPR or New York Times kind of vibe.

That said, if you’re really into the NFL there’s some great insider stuff here. Smith was in the middle of things for years and he shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else. The behind-the-scenes look at how the league actually runs is the best part.

Worth a read if you want those details, just don’t go in expecting a neutral take on football.

I have a feeling Smith will be first in like to see Him this weekend.

[Elle DelS · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. super interesting, the author has an extremely approachable and engaging style of writing, and it gives so much insight into a side of football that few of us even think abt much less get to experience. extremely easy to understand too especially as someone who has zero knowledge of football. highly recommend!

[Chloe Esquivel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be 4 stars if this was marketed as a memoir.

Overall enjoyable! I like the writing style and some of Smith’s takes - especially the more candid ones. Some parts dragged on, and I think some sections could have been cut to include more stuff actually happening, rather than him regurgitating points on how he was ultimately in the right (this especially rang hollow in his writing on Deshaun Watson).

I also wouldn’t recommend writing “I didn’t want to write a football book” in a book marketed as a football book. Maybe this was my fault for not knowing much about Demaurice Smith, but it did take me out of it to know that he’s not much of a fan of football in the first place.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, Smith is a very intelligent guy and links his time as the president of the NFLPA with race, class, and history very well. He, at times, can come across as preachy but what he says is correct and perhaps repetitive.

The book offers a good insight into the owners of the NFL and I would recommend it for any fan.

[Rob Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

May have killed the last vestige of interest I had in the NFL. Terrific insider account of the business of NFL from the side of the players union. Some truly despicable people, some unexpected heroes, and a lot of people that surprised me. with many who didn't unfortunately.

[Chris Jaffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not fundamentally a sports book. The setting is sports but it's really about how the oligarchs try to screw over their workers, and how workers can fight back if they realize their power.

Smith spent 14 years as the head of the NLFPA, taking over shortly after Gene Upshaw (the union's founder) died. During Smith's tenure, the NFL had tons of high profile incidents and controversies, ranging from Ray Rice to COVID, from Colin Kaepernick's protests to battles over two new collective bargaining agreements. In terms of labor issues, the most interesting part of the book comes early, where Smith helps the union overcome an effort by the owners to lock them out, thanks to an inspired idea on his part to create lockout insurance.

Smith enters the job fairly idealistic and leaves more weary and worn out, though still maintaining his core ideals. He just couldn't do the job any more, as later chapters note how he had begun drinking too heavily, not taking care of himself, and feeling way to stressed out.

A lot of very famous individuals appear here. They rarely come off as just good or bad, but as shades of gray and with some levels of nuance. Early on, Smith clearly has a low opinion of Roger Goodell, but by the end he's actually grudgingly impressed by him, arguing that Goodell grew a bit along the way. Smith has some clear sympathy and respect for Robert Kraft, even mentioning him in the acknowledgements section. Jerry Jones is sharp, but Smith opinion of his isn't as strong. Many other owners are just filler, and overall Smith has extremely low opinions of them as a bunch of self-absorbed billionaries. Most players come off very well. The only prominent players who come off poorly are Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers, who both have a knack for saying things that undercut the union overall.

He brings up his family history and politics in it as well, which I'm fine with. The "just stick to sports" crew can go cram it.

He notes at the end that he intentionally stayed out of involvement in the hiring of a new union head. I assume he wishes he was a little more involved, given what a complete disaster the ensuing, scandal-ridden regeime was. Lloyd Howell is just mentioned in passing here. J.C. Tretter is noted only a little bit more, as somone Smith respects but isn't sure about his judgement. Smith thought much more highly of many previous union leaders.

It opens up with a very nice quote from Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" -- Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter."

[Ian Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong effort.

I appreciate that Smith willing to name names, pointing out instances in which Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre undermined the union. He thoroughly explained his differences with Troy Vincent.

We get a better idea of Colin Kaepernick.

He explains his disappointment with Tony Dungy, Mike Tirico and James Brown during the Jon Gruden controversy.

And Smith explains why he's not a big fan of the billionaires running these teams, with specific examples of misbehavior.

He's not pulling punches.

Just a couple of errors that I noticed. There was mention of the league not cancelling games after 9/11. Not true. And there was mention of Gene Upshaw leading three strikes. I believe that to be inaccurate (Upshaw was a player during the 1974 strike, but I don't think he "led" that strike (I don't think he was even his team's player rep at that time; not sure about 1982, either, but definitely a key guy in 1987).

Nonetheless, it's well written, and we're getting a true insider on dynamics of some of the key NFL issues of the last 15 years. Smith has knowledge of the labor laws, adding focus and insights into these labor disputes.

[Ian Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read book for any NFL fan, who is willing to have their perspectives changed. DeMaurice smith came into the league as an unbiased source previously working in US government. A perfect choice for the job, Smith would come in with the mindset that his job was to protect players, and not the billionaire owners. This book does a great job of reminding NFL fans that billionaires look to take advantage of the players, a majority of whom are black. Tying his job back to social justice for players through the Colin Kapernick era, to protecting the leagues best like Brady in deflategate, Smith looks to make this not a football book, but a book that reminds us that the NFL is only a microcosm of the real world. The book is long, and information dense and takes a while to read. I was especially thrown off expecting a football book, but was very pleasantly surprised at the social justice aspect and the fight against the top 1%.

[Gareth Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look behind the curtain of the NFL. I didn’t learn much about the owners who for the most part appear to care only about money. Who knew, right? But there was good insight that shifted the opinion that I had previously had of some players, Tom Brady being a prime example. On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers comes off exactly as I had expected.

The author did a great job of conveying how difficult a job he had. The players he represented had so many different ideals of how their agreement with the NFL should be structured and balancing how to split a fixed pot of money between superstars and practice squad players seems incredibly difficult. The fact that he led the organization for so long without a work stoppage is incredible. Kudos to him.

[Travis ARNOLD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Smith makes a very compelling argument here and provides a wonderful counterpoint to the information the NFL and it's media machine spits out. We need more books like this, books that challenge our conceptions and pre-conceived notions. Regardless of the side of the aisle you sit on, this book provides a lot of thinking points, and an open-minded reader might come away smarter, more aware of world issues, and maybe, just maybe, better prepared to make a difference. This is not a book about the NFL, but about politics.

[Matthew Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an arc from Netgalley and I can not suggest this book enough. It was incredibly well written, and was a fascinating look into the background of the NFLPA, it's fight to support the players, and the author's background and upbringing. Really fascinating to get a behind the scenes look into some of the biggest NFL scandals of the past 10 or so years: Ray Rice, Bountygate, Spygate, Deflategate, Colin Kaepernick, Deshaun Watson, and more.

[Timothy Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly visceral account of DeMaurice Smith’s career, life, and most captivating stories about dealing with NFL owners and Roger Goodell. Smith made eye-opening parallels between the NFL and American society, substantiated by facts that should get the reader pissed off.

One of the best books I’ve ever read.

[Kevin Dhaese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though Smith was the executive director of the NFL Players' Association, this is not a story about football. It is about labor relations. It is about collective power of many as a means to fight the power of the wealthy. One does not need to care about professional football to find this a worthy read.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you are an NFLr you should like this book’s behind the curtain insights. Smith’s perspective is that of a labor lawyer sensitive to cultural issues. regardless of your politics this book is good commentary on how the 32 billionaires who own the NFL rake in profits and politicians at the expense of the fans 🏈

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to like this book just a few pages in but I didn't expect to absolutely love it from start to powerful finish.

It's a book that meets the moment of our times and is stepped deeply in unions against oligarchy while dressing up as a book about football. My only complaint: this book made me (partially) like... Tom Brady.

[Will Taylor,Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

I appreciate how DeMaurice Smith took me behind the billionaires scene to expose, how these men really think and act. Turf wars can enlightened readers, such as to successful people who are well affluent, that they will ask themselves is it worth to become like the NFL owners.

[Chris W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

smith’s searing account of his time leading the NFLPA is deliciously captivating and quite juicy.

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this behind the scenes look. I think a lot of what he says is more true than people want to admit. Makes me think twice about how big the sport has got.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good book on the NFL and how the billionaire owners fight to control everything about the game.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great stories. A must read for anyone interested in the business side of professional sports.

[Romica Brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening account if how toxic NFL leadership is.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5