Getty Image / Saul Loeb
It seems like major reform to the NCAA is coming at some point soon. The schools seem to want it, and our federal government is interested as well, with multiple hearings in Congress this year discussing college athletics most dominant governing body.
And, for the first time, reform advocates, college athletes, and stakeholders met with the White House today. That included spending time with the President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr.
There are some big issues facing colleges athletics. The legalization of Name, Image, and Likeness rights by the NCAA following the Alston decision has significantly changed college sports, as athletes can now earn big bucks. Even though pay-for-play is still illegal, it’s really hard to differentiate what is happening now from pay-for-play, which is fine, because these kids should get paid to play.
And, the issue of unionization by student-athletes is something that has been kicked around, with efforts picking up across the country due to a favorable situation at the National Labor Relations Board that is pretty friendly to union causes. Student-athletes unionizing would significantly change college sports.
And, student-athletes would like long-term health insurance following their playing days. It does make some sense that football players, especially, would get some coverage following their playing days to deal with injuries and aliments that stem from their playing days.
Those things were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting, according to Front Office Sports
Here are some excerpts from the article.
“The way this was explained to me is: ‘We see this meeting as similar to meetings the President has had with Starbucks workers who are organizing Starbucks stores, or the guys who are organizing Amazon warehouses,’” College Football Players Association executive director Jason Stahl told FOS. “Because those organizing efforts are happening absent of the help and assistance of traditional labor institutions.” (Stahl wasn’t in the meeting, but helped with organization and was in D.C.)
it continued
Attendees said Biden, who spent 30-40 minutes in the room, made comments suggesting he was in favor of long-term healthcare for players after graduation, as well as independent healthcare providers outside team doctors that athletes don’t have to pay for themselves. (Biden himself was unaware that schools don’t already pay for second opinions or independent doctors for players, Meachum said.)
“President Joe Biden is all for the health and safety of college football athletes,” Meachum said.
There also appeared to be a consensus that some sort of union-esque entity was necessary for college football players, Marshall and Meachum agreed.
“How to do that was the main question,” Meachum said. “Everyone agrees that’s the way we’re headed.”
It doesn’t appear anything is incredibly imminent, but it seems like student-athletes are gaining momentum on Capitol Hill towards the reforms they want.
Attendees included Ryan Clark, Andrew Luck, Kevin Neghandi, and Desmond Howard.