Athletes.org Releases First-Ever Draft Collective Bargaining Agreement Framework for College Athletics

College athletics continues to be plagued by uncertainty, litigation and confusion for athletes, administrators and fans alike. This uncertainty continues to create a lack of structure for the future of industry, there is only one answer to protect both athletes and the institutions they represent in competition: collective bargaining. That’s why, today, Athletes.org (AO), the players association for college athletes, is releasing the first-ever framework of terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) designed to finally bring structure, fairness and sustainability to college sports.

Read the CBA at athletes.org/CBA.

Athletes.org developed this proposed CBA with direct input from current and recently graduated college athletes representing the perspectives, opinions and experiences of more than 5,000 AO members. In parallel, AO gained feedback from across the industry, organizing discussions with conference commissioners, athletic directors, general managers and legal experts with experience in collective bargaining at the professional level and a deep understanding of the collegiate space to ensure the proposed terms reflect the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.

“Everyone knows the current model of college sports is a ticking time bomb. Some believe that more money can solve the issues, but more revenue with no reform of the foundation will simply mean bigger damages owed to this generation of college athletes ahead. The fundamental conflict of interest between athletes and the industry that profits from their work hasn’t been fixed,” said Brandon Copeland, co-founder of Athletes.org. “While some still hope Congress will bail out a repeat antitrust offender, we’re focused on creating the one solution that actually works: bringing athletes to the table as real partners with a real say in their future. That’s why AO is proud to share this model for a CBA with the world today. A framework that has been poured into by athletes and many leaders across industry who want to ensure that college athletics has a sustainable, and stable future.”

This proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement represents the future of college athletics and what a comprehensive system could look like. This model replaces the fragmented Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) system with a unified, enforceable structure. By consolidating revenue sharing into a single income stream and introducing performance-based contracts, the framework provides a fair and practical model for athlete compensation and negotiation.

The document outlines:

• Clear terms for a formal agreement between athletes and a governing body,

• Comparisons to professional sports standards, and

• Benefits for all parties involved in this necessary solution.

Collective bargaining has long been the foundation of stability and growth in professional sports and it can serve the same purpose in college athletics. Through structured agreements, athletes and universities can work together to protect the integrity of college sports while ensuring fairness and long-term sustainability.

Why a Collective Bargaining Agreement Is Needed Now:

• Inconsistent Standards: College athletic programs operate under vastly different policies, exposing athletes, coaches and administrators to unnecessary risk. A CBA would establish a consistent, enforceable baseline for all.

• Litigation Risk: The surge in lawsuits across college sports continues to draw in new parties and result in significant settlements. Representation through an independent athletes’ association, Athletes.org, would provide athletes with their own mechanism to weigh in on the terms of their participation.

• House Settlement Limitations: While the recent House settlement offers temporary protection, it lacks comprehensive coverage and the legal safeguards of a formal labor exemption.

• Congressional Alignment: By proactively creating a non-employee collective bargaining model, schools can show Congress a sustainable path forward on athlete rights while and in doing so, garnering greater support for potential antitrust protections and bipartisan legislative engagement.

While this draft reflects the structure and economics of what is possible within college football, this is only the beginning. The framework is designed to expand and adapt to other sports across the collegiate ecosystem, always prioritizing fairness, transparency and athlete representation.

In professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL and NWSL, collective bargaining has transformed competition into enduring partnerships that have generated billions in value. It is now time for college athletics to evolve, voluntarily, proactively and collaboratively, into this fruitful and modern model.

“For decades, athletes have carried the weight of a system they had no real voice in,” Copeland said. “This framework changes that. It creates a modern partnership where athletes contribute, institutions succeed and everyone who chooses to participate in this route forward finally operates under the same transparent, enforceable standards. That’s how you protect the games, sports and athletes we all love.”

Athletes.org, “The Players Association for College Athletes,” is a voluntary membership organization whose membership includes more than 5,000 current and former college athletes. AO exists to educate, organize, and represent college athletes as their chosen players association in an attempt to ensure their seat at the table in the ever-changing landscape of college sports. 

– ATHLETES.ORG –