Athletes Push for Union Amid NCAA Settlement

Three athletes involved in the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, Grant House, Sedona Prince, and Nya Harrison, have urged U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken to endorse the formation of a college players' association to better represent athletes in contract negotiations as they navigate the implications of a $2.8 billion settlement. Although they support the settlement, they argue that without independent representation, athletes will remain vulnerable and unable to effectuate meaningful changes in college athletics. They believe Athletes.org could serve as this association, helping to standardize NIL contracts and ensure athletes have a voice in decision-making processes. The settlement, which would allow schools to share revenue with athletes, does not clarify their employment status, a critical issue the NCAA seeks to address with Congress to prevent athletes from forming unions. The players' letter aims to highlight the need for structural reform beyond the settlement, as they emphasize the risks of continued litigation without proper representation. Wilken's response to this letter may influence the long-term effectiveness of the settlement but is not expected to directly impact its approval process.