Dive Brief:
- The National Labor Relations Board has decided it has no jurisdiction to rule on whether Northwestern University football players have a right to form a union, leaving the players with no one to appeal to.
- The NLRB dismissed the players’ petition, writing that asserting jurisdiction in this case “would not promote labor stability” across the NCAA — primarily because Northwestern is in the minority as a private institution in the Big Ten as well as the Football Bowl Subdivision, and the NLRB has no say over public schools.
- The decision does not prevent future teams from attempting to unionize and does not answer the question of whether athletes are employees.
Dive Insight:
While Northwestern University football players will not be able to unionize, many consider their efforts to have forced NCAA reform. ESPN reports that schools have begun offering four-year scholarships instead of renewable one-year scholarships, as well as enhanced medical benefits for players, including after they graduate. And the NCAA has created a new seat on its board of directors for a student athlete.
Chicago’s regional NLRB director ruled in March 2014 that Northwestern’s players should be able to unionize. The university’s appeal to that ruling led to Monday’s decision.