The following statement was issued today by the UFPA executive board:

"On Monday, USFL players voted by a 2-to-1 margin to unionize through the United Football Players Association (UFPA) with the backing of the United Steelworkers (USW). The results of the election are expected to be certified by the National Relations Labor Board shortly. 

First and foremost, the goal of the UFPA has always been (and will remain) to ensure that our members are provided transparency, education and accountability in their respective careers. As recent failed spring leagues have demonstrated, those things have often been neglected, and when those leagues folded (before even finishing their inaugural seasons), players were the ones who suffered. We look forward to working with the USFL, the teams and its stakeholders to help reverse that trend and create sustainability.

When we began this process two years ago, we sought to shed light on perennial issues players have faced in hopes of avoiding common pitfalls that have plagued our profession. Unfortunately, players’ voices were ignored more often than not. Without an invitation for a seat at the table, we decided to build our own. Now the work begins."

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For more information on the UFPA, visit unitedplayers.org.