BTP The Offseason, Day 145: Pac-12 players using their leverage to demand change

It’s been fascinating to watch the evolving dynamic within college sports this offseason, and also encouraging to see athletes recognizing that they do have a lot of influence and power, especially when they work together. A sizeable group of Pac-12 football players has come together to make some demands from that league while threatening a boycott if those changes aren’t made.

Not surprisingly, the players are worried about COVID-19 safety standards, not trusting the methods currently in place to be sufficient. I’d feel the same way if I were a player.

There’s strength in numbers, though this move does come with risks, as Washington State coach Nick Rolovich made clear over the weekend, essentially telling a player that any association with the unity movement would have consequences. He’s probably not the only coach who feels this way, though likely the only one foolish enough to get caught in such a public way. For a dude who hasn’t coached a game for his current employer, this whole costly-PR-debacle thing that is sure to damage recruiting is a bold strategy.