Dartmouth players unionizing could spark domino effect in college sports, expert predicts

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

The Dartmouth men’s basketball team has become the first Ivy League team to vote to unionize, making history in the world of college athletics. In a decisive 13-2 vote, the team decided to join the Service Employees International Union Local 560, a move that has been closely watched by athletes and universities across the country.

This decision comes at a time when college athletes are starting to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) through endorsement deals and other opportunities. While some athletes are able to profit from their NIL, schools are not currently required to pay their athletes a salary.

The school has pushed back against the unionization efforts, with Dartmouth appealing the decision and arguing that athletes should not be classified as employees. Despite this, sports management expert Michael Schreck believes that this could be a significant step forward for college athletes, especially those from Ivy League schools who may not make as much money from NIL deals.

The vote to unionize was supervised by the National Labor Relations Board, with both Fox News and The Associated Press reporting on the historic decision. As the debate over athlete compensation continues, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team has taken a bold step towards advocating for their rights and working towards fair treatment in the world of college sports.