

Who We Are
Athletes.org (AO) is the players association for college athletes. We educate, organize and represent our members as a group by negotiating the terms of their collegiate athletic experience.

Who We Are
Athletes.org (AO) is the players association for college athletes. We educate, organize and represent our members as a group by negotiating the terms of their collegiate athletic experience.
You play like a pro.
AO protects you like one.
Despite generating more revenue than any single pro sports league, college athletes are still the only players without a representative body to fight for them. It’s time for college athletes to have the same rights afforded to their coaches, trainers, and administrators.

Getting College Athletes in the Game
In addition to fighting for college athletes' collective bargaining rights, AO provides members with free resources they can use to maximize their careers both in and outside of their sport.
Getting College Athletes in the Game
In addition to fighting for college athletes' collective bargaining rights, AO provides members with free resources they can use to maximize their careers both in and outside of their sport.
Getting College Athletes in the Game
In addition to fighting for college athletes' collective bargaining rights, AO provides members with free resources they can use to maximize their careers both in and outside of their sport.
Our Initiatives
Why We Exist
The NCAA taking advantage of its athletes is nothing new. Athletes.org was created to end a pattern of mistreatment from stakeholders in college sports, and give athletes the representation they deserve.
Why We Exist
The NCAA taking advantage of its athletes is nothing new. Athletes.org was created to end a pattern of mistreatment from stakeholders in college sports, and give athletes the representation they deserve.
Why We Exist
The NCAA taking advantage of its athletes is nothing new. Athletes.org was created to end a pattern of mistreatment from stakeholders in college sports, and give athletes the representation they deserve.
History Lessons
1955
September 1955
The NCAA Creates the Term "Student-Athlete" to Limit Athlete Rights and Shield the Organization from Liability
In 1955, Fort Lewis A&M player Ray Dennison suffered a fatal head injury while playing. When Dennison's widow sought workmen's compensation death benefits, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school, declaring that Dennison was a ‘student-athlete,’ and thus, ‘not in the football business.’ This ruling that still impacts athletes' rights to this day.

1955
September 1955
The NCAA Creates the Term "Student-Athlete" to Limit Athlete Rights and Shield the Organization from Liability
In 1955, Fort Lewis A&M player Ray Dennison suffered a fatal head injury while playing. When Dennison's widow sought workmen's compensation death benefits, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school, declaring that Dennison was a ‘student-athlete,’ and thus, ‘not in the football business.’ This ruling that still impacts athletes' rights to this day.

1955
September 1955
The NCAA Creates the Term "Student-Athlete" to Limit Athlete Rights and Shield the Organization from Liability

In 1955, Fort Lewis A&M player Ray Dennison suffered a fatal head injury while playing. When Dennison's widow sought workmen's compensation death benefits, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school, declaring that Dennison was a ‘student-athlete,’ and thus, ‘not in the football business.’ This ruling that still impacts athletes' rights to this day.
2014
June 2014
Ed O’Bannon Challenges the NCAA’s Use of Athlete Likeness Without Compensation
Former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing that athletes should be compensated for the use of their names, images, and likenesses in broadcasts and video games. A federal judge ruled that the NCAA’s restrictions violated antitrust law, marking the first major legal crack in the amateurism model and exposing how athletes generated revenue they were barred from sharing in.

2014
June 2014
Ed O’Bannon Challenges the NCAA’s Use of Athlete Likeness Without Compensation
Former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing that athletes should be compensated for the use of their names, images, and likenesses in broadcasts and video games. A federal judge ruled that the NCAA’s restrictions violated antitrust law, marking the first major legal crack in the amateurism model and exposing how athletes generated revenue they were barred from sharing in.

2014
June 2014
Ed O’Bannon Challenges the NCAA’s Use of Athlete Likeness Without Compensation

Former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing that athletes should be compensated for the use of their names, images, and likenesses in broadcasts and video games. A federal judge ruled that the NCAA’s restrictions violated antitrust law, marking the first major legal crack in the amateurism model and exposing how athletes generated revenue they were barred from sharing in.
2021
June 2021
The Supreme Court Rules Against NCAA Limits on Education-Related Benefits
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of former West Virginia running back Shawne Alston, striking down NCAA limits on education-related compensation for athletes. While narrow in scope, the ruling made clear that the NCAA is not above antitrust law, opening the door to broader challenges and signaling that long-standing restrictions on athlete compensation may not hold up in court.

2021
June 2021
The Supreme Court Rules Against NCAA Limits on Education-Related Benefits
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of former West Virginia running back Shawne Alston, striking down NCAA limits on education-related compensation for athletes. While narrow in scope, the ruling made clear that the NCAA is not above antitrust law, opening the door to broader challenges and signaling that long-standing restrictions on athlete compensation may not hold up in court.

2021
June 2021
The Supreme Court Rules Against NCAA Limits on Education-Related Benefits

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of former West Virginia running back Shawne Alston, striking down NCAA limits on education-related compensation for athletes. While narrow in scope, the ruling made clear that the NCAA is not above antitrust law, opening the door to broader challenges and signaling that long-standing restrictions on athlete compensation may not hold up in court.
•
July 2021
NIL Rights Take Effect, Allowing College Athletes to Earn for the First Time
The NCAA officially suspended its long-standing prohibition on athletes profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing college athletes across the country to sign endorsement deals and monetize their personal brands. While the change marked a major shift, the lack of a unified national policy left athletes navigating a patchwork of state laws and school guidelines, often without structure, protection, or representation.

•
July 2021
NIL Rights Take Effect, Allowing College Athletes to Earn for the First Time
The NCAA officially suspended its long-standing prohibition on athletes profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing college athletes across the country to sign endorsement deals and monetize their personal brands. While the change marked a major shift, the lack of a unified national policy left athletes navigating a patchwork of state laws and school guidelines, often without structure, protection, or representation.

•
July 2021
NIL Rights Take Effect, Allowing College Athletes to Earn for the First Time

The NCAA officially suspended its long-standing prohibition on athletes profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing college athletes across the country to sign endorsement deals and monetize their personal brands. While the change marked a major shift, the lack of a unified national policy left athletes navigating a patchwork of state laws and school guidelines, often without structure, protection, or representation.
2024
July 2024
House v. NCAA Settlement Challenges Decades of Unpaid Athlete Labor
In a landmark antitrust case led by former Arizona State swimmer Grant House, the NCAA agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement addressing past restrictions on athlete compensation. The case targets decades of unpaid NIL earnings, potentially resulting in back pay for thousands of athletes and reshaping the financial model of college sports while raising new questions about how revenue will be shared moving forward.

2024
July 2024
House v. NCAA Settlement Challenges Decades of Unpaid Athlete Labor
In a landmark antitrust case led by former Arizona State swimmer Grant House, the NCAA agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement addressing past restrictions on athlete compensation. The case targets decades of unpaid NIL earnings, potentially resulting in back pay for thousands of athletes and reshaping the financial model of college sports while raising new questions about how revenue will be shared moving forward.

2024
July 2024
House v. NCAA Settlement Challenges Decades of Unpaid Athlete Labor

In a landmark antitrust case led by former Arizona State swimmer Grant House, the NCAA agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement addressing past restrictions on athlete compensation. The case targets decades of unpaid NIL earnings, potentially resulting in back pay for thousands of athletes and reshaping the financial model of college sports while raising new questions about how revenue will be shared moving forward.
Athletes.org News

AO News
Building a Better Athletes.org Experience

AO News
“This EO aims to rewind the clock” – Athletes.org Responds to Executive Order on College Sports April 8, 2026

AO News
ES&E and Athletes.org Launch Video Game Advisory Committee to Elevate College Athlete Voices

AO News
Introducing AO’s Parents Group
Athletes.org News

AO News
Building a Better Athletes.org Experience

AO News
“This EO aims to rewind the clock” – Athletes.org Responds to Executive Order on College Sports April 8, 2026

AO News
ES&E and Athletes.org Launch Video Game Advisory Committee to Elevate College Athlete Voices

AO News
Introducing AO’s Parents Group
Athletes.org News

AO News
Building a Better Athletes.org Experience

AO News
“This EO aims to rewind the clock” – Athletes.org Responds to Executive Order on College Sports April 8, 2026

AO News
ES&E and Athletes.org Launch Video Game Advisory Committee to Elevate College Athlete Voices

AO News
Introducing AO’s Parents Group
For Athletes. By Athletes.
Athletes.org is the players association for college athletes. We educate, organize and represent our members as a group by negotiating the terms of their collegiate athletic experience.
For Athletes. By Athletes.
Athletes.org is the players association for college athletes. We educate, organize and represent our members as a group by negotiating the terms of their collegiate athletic experience.






