Huskers Employees?

Nebraska football players would be employees of the university under a bill again offered to the state legislature by Sen. Ernie Chambers.

Chambers’ perennial version of the paythe-players bill would also create a new criminal class to punish anyone who refuses to make the players employees. Violation of the law would be a Class V felony punishable by a $10,000 fine.

Lawmakers passed a bill in 1988 to allow the university to provide a stipend to football players. But, the measure was vetoed by then-Gov. Kay Orr.

Athletic director Bill Byrne and coach Tom Osborne have said they oppose such proposals because they violate NCAA rules and would result in penalties.