The athletes whose lawsuit against the NCAA is primed to pave the way for schools to pay them directly also want a players' association to represent them in the complex contract negotiations that have overtaken the sport.

The athletes whose lawsuit against the NCAA is primed to pave the way for schools to pay them directly also want a players’ association to represent them in the complex

The players said an association would help standardize name-image-likeness (NIL) contracts to establish minimum payments and health protections.

The athletes said a players' association will help their voices be better heard as the NCAA and its schools move toward a system to share revenue with players.

Three of the named plaintiffs and class representatives in the House, Carter and Hubbard college sports antitrust litigations that U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken preliminarily approved for settlement want the judge to “lend” her “imprimatur” to support their goal of a players’ association and for Athletes.