8 UCLA football players test positive for COVID-19

Eight UCLA football players have tested positive for coronavirus, L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of Pasadena Star News.

The news comes in the wake of a group protest by Pac-12 players, who threatened to sit out of the upcoming season if they don't get a written contract with the conference legally ensuring several demands. The demands include better COVID-19 safety measures.

UCLA's players specifically targeted the university's COVID-19 protocols and guidelines this offseason. In mid-June, 30 football student-athletes drafted a document listing their demands to the school to ensure the safety of student-athletes amid the pandemic.

One of the players' issues is they don't believe head coach Chip Kelly acts in the best interest of their health, which led to asking for a "third-party health official" to confirm COVID-19 protocols are followed properly during football activities.

While the NCAA Division II and Division III canceled fall 2020 championships Wednesday, the Division I has yet to confirm the status of its fall sports this season.

UCLA is currently set to kick off its campaign on Sept. 26 against USC. The Bruins have 10 conference-only games scheduled in 2020 due to the Pac-12's adjusted pandemic schedule.