In a stunning reversal, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team has withdrawn its groundbreaking petition to unionize, citing concerns over the National Labor Relations Board’s impending Republican majority. The decision, announced Tuesday by the Service Employees International Union Local 560, marks an abrupt end to the players’ historic bid to become the first college sports team to successfully unionize.
A Pioneering Push Cut Short
The Dartmouth players’ union drive began in 2023, arguing that the Ivy League school exerted such control over their schedules and working conditions that they met the legal definition of employees. In a groundbreaking decision, an NLRB regional official agreed, leading to a 13-2 vote in March to join SEIU Local 560.
While our strategy is shifting, we will continue to advocate for just compensation, adequate health coverage, and safe working conditions for varsity athletes at Dartmouth.
– Chris Peck, SEIU Local 560 president
However, facing a future NLRB controlled by Republican appointees, the union opted to withdraw its petition rather than risk setting a harmful precedent for college athletics. The school had vowed to challenge the decision, potentially forcing the case into federal court.
Dartmouth’s Opposition
Dartmouth fiercely opposed the unionization effort, insisting that Ivy League athletes are students first and foremost. In March, the college stated:
Athletes in the Ivy League are not employees. They are students whose educational program includes athletics.
The school argued that treating players as employees would fundamentally change the nature of college athletics, blurring the lines between amateur and professional sports. Many observers, however, saw the opposition as an attempt to deny student-athletes basic labor rights and protections.
An Uphill Battle
The Dartmouth case highlights the immense challenges facing college athletics unionization efforts. A previous attempt by Northwestern football players failed due to the presence of public schools in the Big Ten Conference, which fall outside the NLRB’s jurisdiction. Another complaint is seeking employee status for football and basketball players at USC and the NCAA.
Despite the setback, advocates remain committed to securing greater rights and protections for student-athletes. As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, with increasing commercialization and demands on players, the push for unionization is unlikely to fade away. The Dartmouth players’ bold stand, while ultimately unsuccessful, has shone a spotlight on the urgent need for reform.
The Road Ahead
As student-athletes and their advocates regroup, they face a daunting road ahead. Overcoming the resistance of powerful institutions like the NCAA and individual colleges will require innovative union strategies and sustained pressure. Peck, the SEIU Local 560 president, emphasized that collective bargaining remains “the only viable pathway to address issues” in college athletics today.
- Building broad coalitions across campuses and sports
- Lobbying for legislative changes at the state and federal levels
- Harnessing public support through media campaigns and grassroots organizing
While the path forward remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the fight for workers’ rights in college athletics is far from over. The Dartmouth players’ valiant effort has lit a spark that is sure to ignite further challenges to the status quo. As the debate over amateur and professional sports rages on, the voice of student-athletes demanding change will only grow louder.
