• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Nebraska Football Players Sue Big Ten Over Season Postponement

  • Players are demanding that the Big Ten admit its reasons for postponing the season were flawed and are seeking up to $75,000 in monetary damages.
  • While the suit may not have legs, it mounts extra pressure on Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, according to one legal expert.
nebraska-players-sue-big-ten
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

A lawsuit filed on Aug. 27 by Nebraska football players accused the Big Ten of breach of contract for postponing the season. Players are asking for the Big Ten to renounce its reasons to postpone the season and admit those reasons were flawed so that they can compete this fall. They’re also seeking up to $75,000 in damages. 

“This lawsuit isn’t about money or damages, it’s about real-life relief,” Mike Flood, an attorney representing the players, wrote in a statement. “Sadly, these student athletes have no other recourse than filing a lawsuit against their conference. … Our clients must take their claims to the Courthouse to find the justice and fairness they have been denied the Big Ten Conference that has failed to answer basic questions.”

Among other grievances, the suit referenced the fact that multiple Big Ten university presidents made public statements saying that the presidents council had never taken a formal vote regarding whether to postpone the season. The suit also claims that  “athletic directors at all fourteen Big Ten institutions were in favor of playing the 2020 fall football season.”

Some players potentially stand to lose millions if they don’t have a chance to play football this fall, given that improving their game tape and draft stock could score them major contracts in the upcoming NFL draft, Front Office Sports previously reported

While Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren initially refused to disclose details regarding the alleged vote or specific reasons behind why the conference canceled, he released an open letter last week assuring that the decision was final. Warren also provided multiple factors in the decision-making process, including concerns about long-term health effects of COVID-19 and rising cases.

Front Office Sports has previously reported on myocarditis, a potentially lethal heart inflammation condition and complication of COVID-19 that has concerned conference officials.

“The Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) overwhelmingly voted to postpone the fall sports season based on medical concerns and in the best interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes. This was an important decision for our 14 member institutions and the surrounding communities,” the Big Ten said in a statement.

“We share the disappointment that some student-athletes and their families are feeling. However, this lawsuit has no merit and we will defend the decision to protect all student-athletes as we navigate through this global pandemic. We are actively considering options to get back to competition and look forward to doing so when it is safe to play.”

In a statement to Front Office Sports, sports law expert Dan Lust explained whether he believes the lawsuit has legs. “Nebraska players are asking for an injunction to stop the Big Ten from implementing a formal cancellation of fall football,” Lust wrote. “It’s very difficult to prevail and override the conference’s bylaws absent proof of egregious conduct. Although Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren refuses to provide full transparency regarding what transpired, this will come out through discovery and this could potentially reveal the conduct the players need for their case.”

Regardless of the lawsuit’s success, Lust said, it will certainly “keep the pressure on Warren as he fights for his job.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; A general view as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) prepares to take the snap against the Chicago Bears on the NFL shield logo during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fans Sue NFL for Not Letting Teams Use Bluesky

The suit alleges the NFL is unlawfully loyal to X.

Fox Made $800M in Record-Breaking Super Bowl LIX Broadcast

The network smashes event records after historic levels of ad sales.
Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty On the Group of 5’s NFL Superpower

To Jeanty, development and playing time can lead to “life-changing” NFL money.
Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

‘Last Chance U’ Participants File $30M Lawsuit Against Netflix, Others

Producers of “Last Chance U” allegedly took “unfair advantage” of players.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
NC State women's cross country

Trump Education Department Pulls Biden’s NIL Pay Equity Rule

The Biden administration had issued the guidance in its final days.
NCAA flag
February 6, 2025

NCAA Bans Trans Athletes From Women’s Sports After Trump Order

The move was expected after a Trump executive order.
Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Seats in Rotunda remain empty ahead of the Inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
exclusive
February 7, 2025

The NCAA Appears No Closer to Getting Its Coveted Congressional Wish List

A flurry of college sports stakeholders spent the week on Capitol Hill.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
The NCAA logo on the field in the closing second of the Anderson University inaugural football game with St. Andrew's University on Spero Financial Field at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, September 7, 2024. Anderson won 51-14.
February 4, 2025

At Least 250 Athletes Have Opted Out of the House v. NCAA..

At least 250 opted out of the settlement, FOS can confirm.
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon pressures Oregon State wide receiver Jeremiah Noga as the Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
exclusive
February 4, 2025

ESPN, Fox, CBS All Open to Media Rights Package With Pac-12

One source characterized media rights negotiations as “productive.”
Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton watches his team from the sideline. The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Virginia Tech Hokies for a menÕs basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
February 3, 2025

FSU’s Leonard Hamilton to Step Down As NIL Lawsuit Unfolds

Six former FSU men’s basketball players sued Hamilton in December.
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) celebrates following a tackle during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium.
January 31, 2025

Another Lawsuit Seeks to Challenge the NCAA’s Eligibility Clock

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia recently sued the NCAA over similar eligibility standards.