Pac-12 football players are preparing to opt-out of the 2020 season in the event that the league doesn't address a list of concerns about racial injustice, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and other demands.
According to ESPN, the group's goal is to "obtain a written contract with the PAC-12 that legally ensures we are offered the following protections and benefits."
The complete list of protections and benefits was not made public, however, it's been reported that "safe play amid the pandemic, fighting racial injustice, securing economic rights and fair compensation, protecting all sports and obtaining long-term health insurance," are a few of them.
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The Pac-12 issued a statement Saturday stating that it has yet to hear from the group - the players plan to make a public "statement of unity" and a full list of their demands as early as Sunday through traditional and social media.
"Neither the Conference nor our university athletics departments have been contacted by this group regarding these topics," a Pac-12 statement said. "We support our student-athletes using their voice and have regular communications with our student-athletes at many different levels on a range of topics. As we have clearly stated with respect to our fall competition plans, we are, and always will be, directed by medical experts, with the health, safety and well being of our student athletes, coaches and staff always the first priority. We have made it clear that any student athlete who chooses not to return to competition for health or safety reasons will have their scholarship protected."
The Pac-12 announced its 10-game, conference-only schedule for the 2020 season on Friday.
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- Conference-Only: SEC shrinks CFB schedule
- Still Playing: JMU Football to compete in pandemic
- College Opt-Out: VT won't play during COVID
Report: Pac-12 players threaten to sit out entire 2020 season citing safety, racial injustice concerns originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
