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This Just In: College Football Players Given Green Light to Unionize


For those keeping score at home, an undisclosed number of Northwestern University football players asked to be represented by a labor union a few months ago (Northwestern University Football Players Ask for Union Blog).  Today, the Chicago district of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that the student athletes qualified as 'employees' and therefore could unionize.  Citing the fact the student athletes have primarily an economic relationship with the university, NLRB regional director Peter Sung Ohr ruled that the student athletes could vote on whether to be represented by a union. 

After the ruling was made, Northwestern University stated it would appeal to the full NLRB in Washington, D.C.  Depending on the outcome of the full NLRB's ruling, this case could end up in the courts.

This has the potential to drastically alter the college sports landscape.  If student athletes are considered employees and allowed to unionize, a whole host of questions will have to be addressed such as how collective bargaining rights would come into play, how scholarships could potentially be taxed going forward, whether student athletes would be entitled to compensation if they are injured playing a sport, etc.  This is definitely one to keep an eye on. 


More information can be found in the Chicago Tribune article:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-northwestern-union-bid-20140326,0,6454823.story

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