A Position Statement on Power 5 Football Player Compensation from Sports Law Professor Rick Karcher

What follows is an Executive Summary of a proposal created by Rick Karcher, Associate Professor of Eastern Michigan University, about how to set up a framework to address compensation issues for football players in the Power 5 Conferences.

An appropriate and fair system of compensation and benefits for football players in the Power 5 conferences should be determined solely by the players themselves and nobody else, including state and federal legislators or advocacy groups that have decided they can speak on their behalf.

Such a system should be created in accordance with three key elements:

1.) A voluntary association would be formed by all football players enrolled at each university in the Power 5 conferences. Each member receiving a grant-in-aid would pay annual dues of approx. $300.

2.) Each team would select one player to be their “player representative” and the player reps would, with the assistance of a reputable search firm, hire an Executive Director, who would immediately draft constitution and bylaws to be approved by the membership.

3.) The player reps would meet with the Executive Director on a monthly basis, either in person or remotely, to address their issues and concerns and to determine how they will effectively resolve said issues and concerns with the Power 5 conference commissioners.