Football players at Stanford have formed an on-campus chapter of the College Football Players Association, making the Cardinal the first team to partner with the organization.
According to ESPN, the players are not yet petitioning to form a union or be deemed employees, but the announcement marks the first step toward allowing college players to collectively bargain like professional athletes.
Center Fischer Anderson and linebacker Ernest Cooper are leading the charge at Stanford, with hopes of bringing the majority of players on board from every team in the conference.
"I'm not sure on a timeline," Anderson said. "But my personal opinion is that it's inevitable more so than possible. It needs to happen. The question is when."
CFBPA executive director Jason Stahl told ESPN that several other programs in the ACC and the other power conferences are near forming their own chapters, but he declined to say which schools.
Cooper said he already thinks of himself and his teammates as employees.
"As a Power 4 college football player you're working out year-round, you're getting paid," he said. "I don't see why people wouldn't see us as employees."
Anderson and Cooper said Stanford head coach Tavita Pritchard and general manager Andrew Luck are aware of their decision and did not express an opinion for or against it.
"I've had open conversations with all of our top level administration about it," Anderson said. "I love this university, and I think the presence of a players' association only enhances what we're doing."
