Kevin Warren, Big Ten disinvite College Football Players Association to media days

The Big Ten has denied The College Football Players Association (CFBPA) access to its media days this week in Indianapolis. This comes following Friday’s news of Penn State creating the first-ever campus chapter of the CFBPA.

The executive director and founder of the CFBPA Jason Stahl told On3 on Friday afternoon that he held an hour-long conversation with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren last week. The conversation resulted in the association’s invitation to media days for further discussions.

Yet, in an email Saturday night to Stahl, obtained by On3, senior vice president of communications for the Big Ten Jon Schwartz said the conference will “not be able to accommodate the CFBPA’s request to attendance in Indianapolis.”

“A primary goal of media days is to highlight student-athletes’ accomplishments as well as to kick-off the 2022 football season. In light of the media coverage yesterday, we believe attendance by CFBPA representatives at this event would distract from our student-athletes and this goal.”

The three pillars of the CFBPA’s demand to the Big Ten was as follows: independent medical care enforced by a CFBPA representative, post-football health protections and a percentage of media rights revenue for the players. Any active college football player is eligible to join the association for $24 in annual dues.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford played a major role in the CFBPA’s time at Penn State. Stahl spent July 7 to July 15 in State College, Pennsylvania, meeting with members of the Nittany Lions. One-on-one meetings were held, along with a team-wide presentation. Clifford vouched for Stahl and the organization’s mission to his teammates.

While Clifford was never an official member of the CFBPA, more than three dozen teammates have become members. Another large group was in intense discussion about joining during Stahl’s time on campus.

Kevin Warren, Sean Clifford reaction

Clifford held a phone call with Warren last week, which led to the CFBPA’s meeting with the commissioner. There were never plans to form a union or enter hostile negotiations with the league. On Friday night, the Penn State quarterback walked back his support of the CFBPA on Twitter.

“I have had very positive and open discussions with Coach Franklin, Director of Athletics Pat Kraft, and Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren about the changing landscape of college sports and how those changes are, and will continue to, impact-student athletes,” Clifford wrote.

“…. In the last 90 days, the CFBPA presented interesting ideas to me and my teammates with the goal of joining the college football player’s association. However, at this time, I along with many players are committed to working at the campus and conference level to address the complexities of college athletics for student-athletes.”

Warren issued a statement late Friday night outlining plans to formalize a Big Ten Student-Athlete Advisory Committee which will include Clifford.

The CFBPA is still working to launch other chapters across the Big Ten.