( CNN ) -- Northwestern University 's football players voted Friday on whether to form a workers union -- one of the most high-profile efforts by college athletes to demand more rights , possibly including payment . But the result of the vote might not be known for months . The National Labor Relations Board allowed the vote after its Chicago office ruled in March that Northwestern football players can unionize , deeming them school employees because of the hours they put in , the control the university has over them and the revenue they generate . However , Northwestern asked the NRLB for a review -- and the NLRB said the results of Friday 's vote wo n't be made public until that is finished . The review could take months . Still , the group that wants to represent the players -- the College Athletes Players Association -- said Friday was special because the athletes , by voting , exercised `` their rights under labor laws -- rights the NCAA has fought hard to deny them . '' `` The NCAA can not vacate this moment in history and its implications for the future , '' CAPA founder Ramogi Huma said . If Northwestern loses the review , the players ' votes would count . A majority will have needed to vote in favor for the effort to be successful . Northwestern is arguing that players are not university employees but `` students , first and foremost . ' Some players at Northwestern say they want better medical coverage , concussion testing , four-year scholarships that cover the entire cost of attendance , and the possibility of being paid . They 're led by Huma and former Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter . Not all of the players were in favor . Two of the team 's leaders -- quarterback Trevor Siemian and running back Venric Mark -- said they would n't vote for unionizing . Mark told reporters on April 19 that he hoped the `` NCAA does understand some things do need to change , but we do not need a third party to come in between us and the coaches . '' NCAA President Mark Emmert has called the idea of unionized collegiate sports teams `` grossly inappropriate . '' `` It would blow up everything about the collegiate model of athletics , '' he said , . The NCAA contends that athletes are paid in the form of a free education . Athletes also get team-issued shoes and other athletic gear , paid travel , coaching and free medical aid . The Northwestern players ' vote came weeks after a class-action lawsuit filed by current players who want the NCAA compensation cap to be erased , and more than a month before trial is set to begin in the case of former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon lawsuit 's against the NCAA . O'Bannon is suing on behalf of current football and men 's basketball players , and is seeking to get them a share of the millions that the NCAA makes off of their likenesses . On Thursday , the NCAA proposed changes that would give the five power conferences -- Southeastern Conference , Atlantic Coast Conference , Big Ten , Big 12 and Pacific-12 -- more options in how they treat athletes . Among many proposed changes , the NCAA may consider allowing schools to increase scholarships to cover the cost of living , and not just the cost of tuition , for athletes . CNN 's Sara Ganim and Steve Almasy contributed to this report .
Northwestern University football players vote unanimously on whether to unionize . They say athletes , who generate huge money for schools , deserve compensation . The result ' n't be known until after National Labor Relations Board reviews case .