Former Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday that players “need to have someone looking out for our best interests.”
So on Tuesday, Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA linebacker and current president of the National College Players Association, filed a petition in Chicago on behalf of Northwestern players to be represented by a labor union.
MORE: Top 10 for 2014 | New coaches for 2014 | 73 schools, 73 iconic players
RELATED: Iyer: NFL players respond to Northwestern plight | LOSTLETTERMEN: This is not a cash grab
“A lot of people will think this is all about money; it’s not,” Colter told Teddy Greenstein of the Tribune. “Everything now is in the hands of the lawyers. We’re not expecting a decision to be made right away. It might take a year or two or go all the way to the Supreme Court.”
ESPN's Outside the Lines first reported that the Northwestern players filed to the National Labor Relations Board national and regional offices on Monday in an effort to be recognized as employees.
Later Tuesday, the NCAA released a statement.
"This union-backed attempt to turn student-athletes into employees undermines the purpose of college: an education," NCAA Chief Legal Officer Donald Remy said. "Student-athletes are not employees, and their participation in college sports is voluntary. We stand for all student-athletes, not just those the unions want to professionalize.
"Many student athletes are provided scholarships and many other benefits for their participation. There is no employment relationship between the NCAA, its affiliated institutions or student-athletes.
"Student-athletes are not employees within any definition of the National Labor Relations Act or the Fair Labor Standards Act. We are confident the National Labor Relations Board will find in our favor, as there is no right to organize student-athletes."
Colter has completed is college eligibility. This past season as a senior, he threw for 577 yards and four TDs and ran for 489 yards and five scores.