SEC's Slive: Leagues' proposals, advocates of union for college athletes have common ground

FILE - In this July 16, 2013 file photo, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive talks with reporters during the SEC football Media Days in Hoover, Ala. Slive addresses an Associated Press Sports Editors meeting with athletes' unionization among the hot topics in college sports, Monday, April 21, 2014, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2013 file photo, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive speaks during a press conference the day before the SEC Football Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Slive addresses an Associated Press Sports Editors meeting with athletes' unionization among the hot topics in college sports, Monday, April 21, 2014, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jason Getz, File) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT (The Associated Press)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive doesn't think student-athletes should have employee status, but says there is some common ground with the proposal from the five power leagues and a union movement.

Slive said Monday the groups have the same goals "in part, and maybe in great part."

The 65 members of the five conferences are seeking to be allowed to cover the full cost of attendance for athletes, among other initiatives.

Slive has monitored the case of Northwestern football players seeking to be allowed to unionize.

While the commissioner doesn't "believe student-athletes should be employees," he says the leagues want athletes to have "a voice and vote in NCAA" legislation.

Slive spoke to a panel of editors and writers at a Southeast regional meeting of the Associated Press Sports Editors.