• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Athletes Launch Advocacy Group Amid NIL’s First Day

  • On the first day NCAA athletes could profit off their name, image, and likeness, a group of current and former NCAA athletes showed they’re not stopping at NIL.
  • They launched the United College Athlete Advocates, a nonprofit hoping to serve as a collective voice for the rights of college athletes.
football_player_running
Photo: Alabama Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

On the first day NCAA athletes could profit off their name, image, and likeness, a group of current and former NCAA athletes showed they’re not stopping at NIL. 

With the help of Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass), current and former athletes from Loyola Marymount to Washington State launched the United College Athlete Advocates, a nonprofit hoping to serve as a collective voice for the rights of college athletes.

The organization aims to fill a gap in college sports — the lack of collective representation for athletes, which many professional U.S. athletes have in recognized unions. Currently, there’s an organization called the National College Players Association, but no formal union since athletes aren’t considered university employees.

The UCAA’s founders felt it was the perfect time to launch a nonprofit that would focus not just on athletes’ economic rights, but also racial justice, gender equality, mental health, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

“It really is this perfect storm in our eyes, with the Supreme Court Decision, with NIL rolling out,” said former UCLA soccer player Kaiya McCullough. “It feels like the momentum is there.”

Former Washington State and UC Berkeley track and field athlete Andrew Cooper noted that several such movements — like the #WeAreUnited movement, which he helped found — were loud. But they didn’t singularly move the needle on the issues they supported, like economic rights. 

Cooper believes that an organization — even if it’s not an official union — can help strengthen athletes’ voices to drive real change. He hopes it will make sure athletes are “connected, educated, and compensated.”

“The true injustice of amateurism is the fact that college athletes are completely powerless in the existing system,” Cooper said.

The UCAA also aims to serve as a watchdog for coaches and athletic departments who mistreat players. University of Northern Colorado football player Kassidy Woods was cut from the Washington State football team last year after joining the #WeAreUnited movement and opting out of the COVID-19 season. 

“I realized athletes need protection,” Woods said. “Who’s gonna hold these institutions and coaches accountable?” 

He hopes the UCAA will do just that.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March Madness Fields Will Stay Put at 68—at Least Until 2027

NCAA tournament expansion is still on the table for 2027.
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks injured guard Damian Lillard against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.

Damian Lillard and All the NBA Players Taking College GM Roles

The All-Star was named general manager of Weber State men’s basketball Saturday.

College Sports Is ‘New Frontier’ for Private Equity

“The dam will break at some point,” a Carlyle partner told FOS.
Derek Dooley

Ex-Tennessee Football Coach Derek Dooley Running for Senate in Georgia

Dooley coached at Louisiana Tech and Tennessee from 2007 to 2012.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
May 4, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; The BYU Cougars against the Long Beach State 49ers at St. John Arena

Federal Judge Tells Stephen F. Austin to Reinstate Women’s Sports Teams

Schools may not be able to follow through on threats of cuts.
NCAA Track
July 31, 2025

NIL Collectives Can Still Pay College Athletes, With Some Restrictions

NIL collectives will still play a pivotal role in recruiting.
Stanford
August 1, 2025

John Donahoe Taking Over Stanford Sports After Rocky Nike Tenure

John Donahoe will be Stanford’s AD after a four-year stint running Nike.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Rutgers
July 28, 2025

Rutgers Finds New Athletic Director After Almost a Year

Rutgers’s previous athletic director, Pat Hobbs, resigned in August 2024.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
July 25, 2025

‘More Bark Than Bite’: What Trump’s Executive Order Means for College Sports

“This all comes down to Congress and the courts.”
July 24, 2025

UNC’s Bill Belichick Brings His NFL Swagger to ACC Media Days

UNC is becoming one of the most interesting stories in college football.
President Donald Trump speaks during the American 250 kickoff event on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.
July 24, 2025

Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports Pay

The order marks Trump’s first foray into legislating college sports compensation.