Big Ten Football: Is a College Player's Union Near?

The question isn't "if"—the question is "when."

When will we see college football's first players union?

The question isn't "could it happen?" The question is "why haven't we seen it yet?" Why haven't we seen an aggressive agent/lawyer organize big-time college football players to claim what is rightfully theirs?

Most people think college football programs are profitable endeavors. We constantly hear the phrase, "football funds the entire athletic program." Nothing could be further from the truth!

In the heralded 2002 NY Times article, "Football is a Sucker's Game," Michael Sokolove claimed only a treasured few of the country's college football programs make money. His list of expenses that these programs had to deal with was mind boggling.

Without funding and alumni contributions, most college football programs would not be able to survive.

But suddenly, through the genius of Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and his Big Ten Network, we've seen the first conference where every member has made a profit from its football program. 

The SEC is on the verge of providing profits for all their members. If it is not quite there yet, it will be with the new television contract they are entering into with ESPN.

And how do these behemoth football programs make their money? If you said "they make it on the backs of their players," give yourself a pat on the back.

We all know that these players can't accept a penny for their services, can't allow themselves to get treated for lunch from a donor, and they don't make anything when the school they play for sells a jersey with their name or number on the back.

We've also been reminded—with the recent NCAA penalties to USC—that coaches can escape scot-free while players get stuck with penalties for infractions for which they had no responsibility.

In the case of USC, the NCAA is allowing players to transfer without having to sit out, but the general rule for transfers is a one year wait period. There is no such rule for coaches who leave one program for another.

How ironic is it that the Big Ten Network—a brilliant creation which provided that conference with over $200 million in revenue last year—will be the vehicle that more than ever before highlights the huge injustice between athletic departments and players?

How ironic that the more money the Big Ten makes, the greater the chances are that we see the formation of college football's first players union?

Marvin Miller Where Are You?

Marvin Miller, the man responsible for developing the strongest union in the country (Major League Baseball Player's Association), is probably wondering what's stopping someone from following in his footsteps and organizing theses college football players.

Isn't there something wrong with how these players are treated? Aren't they entitled to claim some of the riches that they have created?

Once the right person comes along—and it could happen soon—aren't we going to see the huge profit the Big Ten Network has generated shared with the players?

Just as Major League Baseball players went on strike to procure their demands, so too can an organized group of college football players.

What's that you say? The NCAA has rules that have to be followed? Well, an organized player's union could turn the NCAA into a useless group of powerless old men.