UAB becomes first Division I football team to sign with players' association Athletes.org
The entire UAB football team has signed up for Athletes.org, marking the first time a Division I football team joined the players’ association.
During this time of unprecedented disruption in college sports, Athletes.org is among the companies seeking to organize athletes in anticipation of a coming revenue-sharing model in which athletes will collectively bargain for compensation and other benefits.
Major industry leaders believe that college sports will usher in such a model, a new paradigm that will be introduced either by college sports stakeholders or, more likely, by court rulings or settlements. One of the key components of a revenue-sharing model is the ability for athletes to organize, which would provide them with the proverbial seat at the table during negotiations.
On3 is a media partner with AO, a non-profit organization launched in August that provides on-demand support to athletes navigating the college experience while providing a platform to speak on the future of college sports.
The group founded by former INFLCR founder Jim Cavale and former Penn and NFL linebacker Brandon Copeland is structured similarly to other players’ associations, with chapters within sports and conferences based on participation.
Trent Dilfer invited Athletes.org to UAB’s campus
UAB football coach and former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer invited Athletes.org to UAB’s campus for a 90-minute meeting with the entire team, including players, coaches and training staff.
During the meeting, Dilfer made his position clear on revenue sharing.
“You guys have followed the conversation in college football,” Dilfer told his players. “People are making a lot of money. Billions of dollars. How much are you getting? The actual money that’s negotiated for you to play on TV – you are getting none of. OK, so who’s getting it?
“The conference and the institutions. I’m one of the few people who believe you deserve some of that. The movement that’s gonna happen is that power is going to go from institutions and conferences, and be shared with players.”
Athletes.org said it is working on setting up meetings with other teams at other schools.