• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

NCAA Football Players’ Rights Have Caught The Attention of President Biden

  • On Wednesday, the Biden administration hosted former college football players to discuss athlete compensation, organizing, and healthcare reforms.
  • No policy decisions were made, but Biden was in favor of two major NCAA healthcare reforms, sources said.
NCAA Football Players’ Rights Have Caught The Attention of President Biden.
Justin Falcinelli/CFBPA

Over the past three years, Congressional leaders have met with countless NCAA, conference, and school officials over athlete compensation issues. For its first-ever athlete compensation event, the White House took a different approach.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration hosted former college football players (almost all of whom played in the NFL) to discuss the possibility of a football players’ union, athlete revenue sharing, the current NIL landscape, and health and safety. 

Attendees, who met with officials in the Roosevelt Room, included major names like Andrew Luck and Desmond Howard. While there were no representatives from sports unions like the NFLPA or labor organizers, an athlete advocacy organization called the College Football Players Association had a delegate in the room: former FCS football player Jordan Meachum.

There were no policy decisions made in the meeting, but the issues are clearly significant to the Biden administration.

“The way this was explained to me is: ‘We see this meeting as similar to meetings the President has had with Starbucks workers who are organizing Starbucks stores, or the guys who are organizing Amazon warehouses,’” College Football Players Association executive director Jason Stahl told FOS. “Because those organizing efforts are happening absent of the help and assistance of traditional labor institutions.” (Stahl wasn’t in the meeting, but helped with organization and was in D.C.)

President Biden, National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, and Office of Public Engagement Director Steve Benjamin were all in attendance for a meeting that was described as educational. “This was their opportunity to hear it from the horse’s mouth,” former NFL player and Georgia alum Keith Marshall, one of the seven former players, told FOS. 

Attendees said Biden, who spent 30-40 minutes in the room, made comments suggesting he was in favor of long-term healthcare for players after graduation, as well as independent healthcare providers outside team doctors that athletes don’t have to pay for themselves. (Biden himself was unaware that schools don’t already pay for second opinions or independent doctors for players, Meachum said.)

“President Joe Biden is all for the health and safety of college football athletes,” Meachum said.

There also appeared to be a consensus that some sort of union-esque entity was necessary for college football players, Marshall and Meachum agreed. 

“How to do that was the main question,” Meachum said. “Everyone agrees that’s the way we’re headed.”

Meachum also noted there was an interest in the idea of revenue sharing, especially given the recent conference realignment moves and media deals that make college football look even more like a professional sport.

Administration officials did not indicate what the next steps would be. Though Stahl said his contacts appeared supportive, and suggested that he should continue to reach out if the CFBPA needed more for its organizing efforts. “It’s good to have a pro-labor administration in the White House.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.