Big Ten Players Take Action To Save Fall Football Season
A group of Nebraska football players filed a lawsuit on Thursday, hoping a jury will force the Big Ten Conference to reinstate its fall football season.
The lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court contends, among other things, that the players are losing a chance for development and exposure for a possible pro career and won’t be able to market themselves to eventually capitalize on name, image and likeness revenue opportunities.
The eight players want a court order that would keep the Big Ten from going through with its plan to cancel the fall football season.
“This lawsuit isn’t about money or damages, it’s about real-life relief,” Mike Flood, the players’ attorney, said.
The Big Ten did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Big Ten announced Aug. 11 it would cancel its fall football season because of health risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pac-12 and smaller leagues followed suit.
The lawsuit said the Big Ten’s decision-making process was “flawed and ambiguous” and called into question whether the league’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors formally voted on the decision.
The medical studies used to make the decision, the lawsuit says, were not relevant to the circumstances of college-age athletes and did not take into account school safety measures.
“Sadly, these student athletes have no other recourse than filing a lawsuit against their conference,” Flood said.
“The presidents and chancellors of these universities have taken inconsistent positions about whether there was a vote, and they have largely failed to explain what positions they took.”
Flood also represents a group of Nebraska football parents that last week sought documents and other materials related to the Big Ten decision.
Flood, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, owns five radio stations that broadcast Cornhuskers football games as part of the Husker Sports Network.
Last week, Flood sent a letter to commissioner Kevin Warren asking for documents relating to any votes taken, meeting minutes and all recordings and transcripts of meetings in which votes were cast.
He also wanted copies of studies, scientific data and medical information or advice considered by the presidents.
Flood had threatened a federal lawsuit if the materials weren’t delivered to him.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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