News

TIME: "Ramogi Huma Is Playing the Long Game in His Fight for College Athletes' Rights"

TIME selects NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma as one of 18 Black leaders who are “Closers” working to end the racial wealth gap.

Q&A: What USC’s hearing before NLRB could mean for the future of college athletics

LA Times Q&A with NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma on potential impact of the NLRB case stemming from the NCPA's push to affirm USC FB & BB players' employee status.

Legal Complaint Around Student Athlete Compensation Takes ‘Aggressive’ Next Step

National College Players Association's civil rights complaint against NCAA DI colleges referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

California bill calls for revenue sharing in college sports

The National College Players Association sponsors CA bill that would require colleges to share 50% of revenue with athletes and implement broad athlete protections.

National Labor Relations Board files complaint against USC, Pac-12 and NCAA

NLRB pursues National College Players Association's unfair labor practice charge aimed at affirming USC FB & BB players as employees of USC, the Pac-12, and the NCAA.

NCPA Publishes Official NIL Ratings to Empower Recruits - Free Access!

Depending on which college you choose, you may be sued or fined for an NIL violation… or you may have great NIL freedoms. If you plan to purse NIL pay as a college athlete, then reviewing the NCPA's Official NIL Ratings is a must!

NCPA Partners with Reps Dan Miller and Ed Gainey to introduce bill to allow college athlete pay for name, image, and likeness in Pennsylvania!

Justice is coming for PA college athletes!

California will allow college athletes to profit from endorsements under bill signed by Newsom

Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player who is executive director of the National Collegiate Players Assn., praised the bill and urged the NCAA to “get on board or be plunged into irrelevance.”

LA Times: "NCAA reform has been a two-decades-long campaign for Ramogi Huma"

NCPA leader's college athletes' rights advocacy featured in The Los Angeles Times.

CNN Interview: NCPA's Ramogi Huma Advocates for NCPA's Bill to Pay College Athletes for Name, Image, & Likeness in California

"NCAA amateurism is an absolute fraud... no reason to strip players of equal rights."

California would allow college athletes to profit from endorsements under bill sent to Newsom

“It’s dehumanizing for the NCAA to demand complete ownership of players’ identity as a condition of participating in college sports. Players are people not university property." - NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma

A Football Coach Told His Players to Donate to the Booster Club. Now His University Says It’s Just ‘Strongly Encouraged.’

NCPA says coach's move to pressure players to donate to booster club smacks of extortion.

Lawmaker Calls on NCAA to Better Compensate College Athletes

NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma discusses academic and athlete compensation reform after moderating US Senator Chris Murphy's panel discussion on groundbreaking college athletes' rights report.

California Pay-To-Play Bill Pushes College Athlete Compensation

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with National College Players Association founder Ramogi Huma about a California bill that will allow compensation for college athletes.

Lack of transparency by UH questioned; board of regents chair Tilman Fertitta issues statement

NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma calls on University of Houston Board to investigate why best practices were apparently not implemented in workouts that harmed women's soccer players.

'My whole community lost my son': Mother wants answers for NJ football player death

NCPA blasts colleges' instinct to cover up after community college refuses to inform mother about details of her son's death following football workout. Braeden Bradforth's mom deserves answers!

Ruling On Pay Cap Could Bring 'Watershed Moment' For College Sports

NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma joins discussion about the implications of a highly anticipated federal court challenge to the NCAA's limit on college athlete compensation.

University Of Maryland Football Abuse Scandal And The Rights Of College Athletes

After death of University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair during hazardous workout, NCPA Executive Director points to lack of enforced health and safety standards as cause of abuse and death in NCAA sports.

The NCAA’s amateur model is already fragile. Will legalized sports betting kill it?

NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma advocates for a portion of gambling revenue to be used to assist college athletes in degree completion.

Sexual abuse whistleblower calls OSU revelations "the tip of the iceberg"

Former Ohio State University athlete says team doctor molested him and perhaps more than 1000 other athletes.

N.C.A.A. Panel Proposes Reforms, Including End to ‘One and Done’

NCPA's Ramogi Huma says NCAA Commission dodged main issue: “The root cause of the F.B.I. investigation are the N.C.A.A. rules limiting compensation for players. And none of the recommendations speak to them — none of them.”

Area Assemblyman Chris Holden: "Our Ultra-Idealized Concept of Amateurism in College Sports is Myth," Leads to New Bill

NCPA sponsors legislation to solve graduation rate problems, alleviate racial disparities, help pay for medical expenses and advance college athletes towards the economic freedoms granted to other students and citizens.

NCAA to Protect Amateurism as Defined Amid Hoops Changes

NCPA says NCAA commission is not open to meaningful reform and that current federal lawsuit may ultimately bring economic justice to college athletes.

Looking at the practice of awarding huge buyouts to major college football coaches

NCPA on unjust coaching contract buyouts - "It's insane by any standard."

Josh Rosen Q&A: UCLA QB on Injuries, NCAA and Post-NFL Goal to 'Own the World'

UCLA QB Josh Rosen says there is so much money being made and heavy athletic time demands that conflict with academics, colleges must do more for players than keep them eligible.

Don't Just Shut Up and Play

Wisconsin Badgers basketball player Nigel Hayes calls on athletes to speak out and calls out the NCAA for skirting responsibilities to protect players.

Track and Fear

A University of Arizona coach threatened to kill an athlete. No NCAA investigation because it doesn't have rules against abusing college athletes. Another reason the NCPA's Athlete Protection Act is urgently needed...

Alabama continues to operate most lucrative plantation in the state, with Nick Saban earning millions while players get nothing

“They’re profiteering off an illegal system,” NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma said of coaches like Saban and Harbaugh. “This is an illegal price fixing scheme that illegally caps what players can receive.”

NCAA agrees to historic $209M settlement over scholarship shortages

The NCAA and 11 major athletic conferences announced that they have agreed to pay $208.7 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit filed by former college athletes who claimed the value of their scholarships was illegally capped.

NLRB counsel: Football players at private FBS schools are employees

Football players at private universities who compete at the NCAA's highest level are employees and entitled to protection from unfair labor practices, the National Labor Relations Board's general counsel stated this week.

Analysis: Oregon football workouts sent players to hospital. Who will stand up for them?

The physical endangerment of three players, a direct result of following orders from coaches, results in no action from NCAA – no investigation, no rebuke, no infractions penalty.

NLRB counsel: Northwestern had 'unlawful' limits on players, who are 'employees'

The memo by the National Labor Relations Board's general counsel is a historic step in player's rights

Apparel deal is big for UCLA, but not for athletes

The center photograph celebrating UCLA's record $280-million shoe and apparel deal with Under Armour was poignantly missing someone. Absent was the athlete upon whose back this deal was cut.

How March Madness Athletes Help Fund 'Country Club' Sports

Lucrative players contribute much more than just to the bottom line.

College Athletes Rights in the 21st Century

Watch the "College Athletes Rights in the 21st Century" panel at the Drexel College Athletes' Rights Conference

Is the NCAA failing its college athletes?

Louisville's Postseason Ban Turns College Athletes Into Collateral Damage

Louisville announces self-imposed postseason ban on the men's basketball team for alleged NCAA rule violations committed between 2010 and 2014 affecting all current players, regardless of whether they had anything to do with the violations.

WHAT I PAID TO BE A DIVISION I ATHLETE

Former Division I athlete, Luke Bonner, writes about his experience as a college player via Vice Sports

Power Five passes on tackling big NCAA issues to help athletes

Power Five conferences pass on tackling big NCAA issues to help athletes, sleep through Year 2 of autonomy

Racial prejudice is driving opposition to paying college athletes. Here’s the evidence.

With the money made from college sports increasing every year, the way colleges treat their athletes has become controversial.

As college sports revenues spike, coaches are not only ones cashing in

As big-time college sports revenues have nearly doubled over the past decade, coaches are far from the only ones cashing in.

College player union leaders still pushing for changes

NCPA leader Ramogi Huma and Kain Colter speak on the State of NCAA Sports at the Indiana AFL-CIO convention, which in turn passed a resolution of support of equal rights under labor/antitrust laws for all college players.

Northwestern Union's Legacy of Reform Lives On

Although former Wildcats quarterback Kain Colter’s vision for the College Athletes Players Association never came to fruition in Evanston, the dialogue created by his efforts resulted in lasting changes.

Pac-12 proposes allowing athletes to make money off names, likenesses

NCAA sports continue to respond to players' pressure for change. The Pac-12 has proposed changing NCAA rules to allow college athletes to use their names, images and likenesses for non-athletic business ventures.

Players Finally Getting Paid Thousands of Dollars!

The NCPA is joining players everywhere in celebrating a historic victory. NCAA sports has finally given in to pressure from players and is allowing colleges to pay thousands of dollars in player stipends!

University of Illinois Fires FB Coach in Player Abuse Scandal

The University of Illinois announced its firing of head football coach Tim Beckman based on evidence uncovered in its investigation backing former players’ claims of mistreatment and abuse.

NLRB 'Had It Wrong' On Northwestern Players' Bid To Unionize

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Ramogi Huma, president and founder of the College Athletes Players Association, about what's next after the Northwestern football team lost its bid to unionize.

NLRB: Northwestern Football Players Cannot Unionize For Now

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rules Northwestern football players can’t unionize for now. The door is still open, but this delay keeps players at risk!

College athlete activist Ramogi Huma discusses Northwestern union, more

NCPA leader Ramogi Huma makes the case for college athlete trust funds and predicts the future of players rights in Sports Illustrated.

Advocacy group wants Illini AD, coaches fired

NCPA called for the University of Illinois to fire athletic director Mike Thomas, football coach Tim Beckman and others who have been the target of player mistreatment allegations and two lawsuits alleging abusive treatment and racial hostility.

Athletes allege abuse and racism at University of Illinois

CNN spoke to 15 recently departed players on the University of Illinois football and women's basketball teams, and they allege a wide range of misconduct and persistent bullying of athletes by coaches.

Former UI women's basketball players file suit

Seven former Illini women’s basketball players have sued the University of Illinois, alleging coach Matt Bollant and former assistant Mike Divilbiss created a racially hostile environment in violation of the Federal Civil Rights Act.

Former NCAA football player fires lawyer in class-action concussion lawsuit

Adrian Arrington has fired his attorney Joseph Siprut in a class action lawsuit against the NCAA, opposes settlement.

NCAA D-I board chair doesn't want O'Bannon case appealed to Supreme Court

NCAA Division I board of directors chairman Harris Pastides said he is not inclined to have the NCAA try to get the US Supreme Court to hear the Ed O'Bannon case if the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules unfavorably against the association.

NCPA Calls For Immediate Independent Investigation Regarding Claims of Coach Abuse of College Players at University of Illinois

Michigan starting center Jack Miller: 'I'm ready to walk away'

Michigan starting center Jack Miller announced he would not play his senior season and told ESPN concern about the long-term impact from past and possible future concussions was a factor in the decision.

NCAA and EA Sports Video Game Lawsuit Settlement

Information for college athletes on how to file a claim for NCAA video game lawsuit payout

President Obama backs college athletes

The NCPA message has reached the White House and President Obama supports our efforts.

John Oliver: The NCAA doesn't give a sh*t about the student athletes who earn them billions

On Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver blasted the NCAA and its affiliate schools for reaping billions of dollars from college athletes and denying them basic protections.

Professors unite for college players to be employees

A group of university faculty members, disturbed by how they say college football and basketball players are treated academically and economically, announced a national coalition to support recognizing those players as employees.

A Former College Lineman Now on the Streets, Looking for Answers, and Help

Ryan Hoffman, a U.N.C. Football Player Two Decades Ago, Is Now Homeless. “Those are the players who are being left behind in this whole concussion debate and, unfortunately for some of them, it’s a life-or-death issue.”- Ramogi Huma, NCPA

Is the college letter of intent the 'worst contract in American sports'?

Roquan Smith of Georgia announces he is attending UCLA during a national signing day event. He changed his mind after a coach left UCLA.

How Roquan Smith might end up empowering future high school football stars

Georgia high schooler Roquan Smith may revolutionize one aspect of college football recruiting -- by accident.

A Long Shot

College athletes greatly overestimate their chances playing professionally.

Plaintiff attorney tries again to lead NCAA concussion lawsuit

Attorney Jay Edelson, who represents former San Diego State football player Anthony Nichols as a plaintiff, filed a motion Monday claiming the lead attorneys in the case have abandoned personal-injury claims for the class.

Players forcing change, Power 5 conferences approve full cost-of-attendance and guarantee four-year scholarships

Because college athletes have courageously stood up against injustice Power 5 conferences have passed new regulations that will require schools to pay full cost-of-attendance and guarantee four-year scholarships.

NCAA ripped for abusing players - LA Times

The LA Times asked Ramogi Huma, executive director of the NCPA, to write this opinion piece on the eve of the NCAA Championship game: The NCAA empire is built on the sweat, talent -- and harm -- of its players

NCAA to Allow Family Travel Aid for Top Title Games

Thanks to a waiver granted by the NCAA, the College Football Playoff will be able to help with travel costs for the parents or guardians of the players participating in the College Football Playoff National Championship game

A CNN MUST WATCH: Concussions, player dies, and the NCAA looks the other way

Unnecessary roughness? Players question NCAA's record on concussions

Boston first city to pass safety laws for college athletes

In June, the NCPA testified in Boston City Council hearings to urge the city to do what the NCAA refuses to do - protect college athletes. This week, Boston became the first city in history to require protections for college athletes.

Judge rules in favor of O'Bannon and College Athletes

Federal judge ruled that the NCAA's rules prohibiting athletes from being paid for use of their names, images and likeness violate antitrust law

NCAA shameful head-injury lawsuit settlement

NCAA agrees to settle a class-action head-injury lawsuit by creating a $70 million fund to diagnose thousands of current and former college athletes to determine if they suffered brain trauma playing contact sports.

Boston tries to be first city with 'College Athlete Bill of Rights'

Boston is trying to become the first city to provide health care and educational rights to college athletes beyond what the NCAA requires.

Game-changing Moment for College Athletics

In a potentially game-changing moment for college athletics, the Chicago district of the National Labor Relations Board ruled on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 that Northwestern football players qualify as employees of the university and can unionize.

College Football Players Don ‘All Players United’ Wristbands To Protest NCAA

NCPA facilitates multi-campus player protest during televised football games to raise awareness about serious gaps in basic protections that college athletes face.

The $6 Billion Heist: Robbing College Athletes Under the Guise of Amateurism

The NCPA and the Drexel University Sport Management Department released the findings of a joint study showing that the NCAA uses amateurism as a tool to deny revenue athletes billions of dollars per year that they would otherwise receive in a fair market.

NCPA President: College football must spend research money after CTE found in living players

This is the type of research college football should be supporting with its windfall playoff revenues.

Why The NCAA Does Not Care About Concussions

In college football, the risk of legal liability is dictating the response to a medical crisis.

Documents say NCAA knew video games matched reality

Unsealed documents from the O'Bannon v NCAA, EA Sports lawsuit reveal an NCAA Vice President's admission that EA Sports illegally uses players' images and such use generated millions for NCAA sports.

Lawsuit seeks to change how NCAA athletes are compensated

In his lawsuit against the NCAA and EA Sports, former UCLA basketball great Ed O'Bannon seeks to gain publicity rights royalties for current players which would be put into a trust fund that they can access after their college eligibility is exhausted. Ex

The Olympics Show Why College Sports Should Give Up on Amateurism

Dead in eight years? When the Dream Teamers, the epitome of Olympic professionalization--took the court in Barcelona two decades ago, they were greeted as rock stars. The world did not lament the absence of America's traditional unpaid collegiate all-star.

Listen to college football players about the good and bad of a playoff

Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones stated, "It really does take a physical toll on your body, especially playing in this league where we're not spreading out and passing it 50 times a game." Last month, the NCPA called for some of the new playoff mo

Time to Set Them Free

Citing "an apparent cover-up by Penn State officials" of Sandusky's crimes over a decade, Ramogi Huma, the president of the California-based National College Players Association, called for the NCAA to remember current student-athletes are innocent bystanders.

Letter from NCPA President to NCAA - Don't Punish PSU FB Transfers

NCPA President Ramogi Huma to NCAA President: "As you consider a just punishment for the Penn State football program, the NCPA asks that you do not inflict injustice upon innocent Penn State football players."

Graham Spanier, disgraced ex-Penn State president, epitomized NCAA hypocrisy

Like others that run NCAA sports, Spanier used misguided ethical arguments to maintain the NCAA's unethical treatment of its players. He went on to cover up child rape on the premise that it would be inhumane to confront the sexual predator in his athlet

SEC will study concussions with much-needed research of college sports

"It's appropriate since many of these colleges have medical centers and hospitals and resources," NCPA President Ramogi Huma said. "If you look at the contracts they've been signing for TV revenues, it is their responsibility at this point to put their..."

UCLA football players sign petition in support of "Student-Athlete Bill of Rights" currently before California Legislature

The NCPA-sponsored legislation would require California colleges making over $10 million in media revenues continue scholarships for injured players, grant permission to transfer without conditions, require financial and life skills workshops, and more.

Restrictions on transfers simmering debate in college sports

The issue continues to simmer, however, with one advocate insisting that the 6-8 Uthoff should be free to play wherever he chooses. "The NCAA, they prioritize coaches' rights and schools' rights over players' freedoms," said Ramogi Huma of the National Co

Washington Times: Why Conservatives Should Be Infuriated By NCAA System

"To paraphrase Ronald Reagan: The NCAA is not the solution to the problems of college sports; the NCAA is the problem..."

Final Four Stats Show Match-Ups Are Rigged

The average Final Four basketball player has an estimated fair market value of $846,172 but lives about $2256 below the federal poverty line, incurrs a $3911 scholarship shortfall, and has a 51% graduation rate.

Madness of March: NCAA gets paid, players do not

Former UCLA BB Player James Keefe says college athletes need a union...Other players speak out.

Aware of New TV Money, Players Petition NCAA to Invest in Reform This Week

NCAA Board to discuss reform this week, players unite for comprehensive reform.

College athletes press NCAA reform

College football and basketball players petition NCAA and college presidents to invest a portion of new revenues in providing basic protections, increasing graduation rates, and decreasing NCAA violations.

NCPA TV, Radio, Print Highlights - Watch ESPN OTL Debate and more

Countless media organizations have seized on the NCPA-Drexel study's call for a new model of amateurism in NCAA sports. The AP, ESPN, AOL Fanhouse and more...

Study: College Athletes Worth 6 Figures, Live Below Federal Poverty Line

ESPN Asks NCPA President Ramogi Huma About Pay For Play

NCPA President Ramogi Huma stated, "Open up the market [to the players] on commercial revenue. You can have the open market or the black market. The NCAA has chosen the black market..."

Connecticut Adopts NCPA's Student Athletes Right to Know!

"Recruiters are fueling a lot of myths," NCPA President Ramogi Huma said. "Chief among them is the four-year scholarship. Four-year scholarships don't exist, so this bill will show recruits the truth and point out things they need to consider when making

Coaches & NCAA Bullying Basketball Players

The NCAA and the colleges claim that their goal is to educate student-athletes, but this is a clear example of how the NCAA too often keeps players uneducated and financially undervalued in order to increase revenues.

Legislators Hear Testimony On Need To Spell Out Details On Athletic Scholarships, Medical Expenses

Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player and president of the National College Players Association -- a California nonprofit made up of more than 14,000 Division 1 student athletes -- also testified at the hearing and went one step further. He said the

Rules fail to curb schools from oversigning football players

"I think if schools are held accountable they are going to have a harder time treating players badly," says National College Players Association President Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player.