Nebraska football players suing Big Ten in hopes of playing this fall

Cornhusker players file lawsuit against Big Ten in hopes of reinstating season. 

When the Big Ten announced that it would cancel fall sports for this year, along with college football, it was met with massive backlash from players, parents, coaches, and fans.

Various head coaches expressed their disappointment with the decision, including Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Nebraska coach Scott Frost who both mentioned the possibility of their teams moving to another conference in order to salvage the season.

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren quickly shut down that idea, but the Cornhuskers are still fighting against the conference’s decision to cancel football for this upcoming fall.

Eight members of the Nebraska football team filed a lawsuit against the Big Ten in order to obtain a reversal of the decision to cancel fall sports and more clarity on how the decision was made by conference officials in the first place.

The lawsuit brings three official charges against the conference

The Huskers players who are filing this lawsuit are Garrett Snodgrass, Garrett Nelson, Ethan Piper, Noa Pola-Gates, Alante Brown, Brant Banks, Brig Banks, and Jackson Hannah.

In this lawsuit, attorney Mike Flood, who is representing the players, brings three counts against the Big Ten.

The first count is “Wrongful interference with business expectations” stating that the conference has interfered with the players’ ability to work toward a professional career in football.

The second is “Breach of contract” saying that since it’s unclear whether a vote took place to cancel the season, they are in breach of contract by not existing to benefit student-athletes.

The final charge is “Declaratory judgment” stating that since the Big Ten either did not actually vote on the decision or is simply unwilling to produce record of a vote, the decision should be void.

Despite the effort of these players, the Big Ten has stated that they will not revisit their decision to cancel fall sports. But the players still have the right to take legal action that they deem fit.