Watch CBS News

Board Dismisses Ruling To Allow College Athletes To Unionize

By MICHAEL TARM
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - The National Labor Relations Board has dismissed a historic ruling that Northwestern University football players are school employees who are entitled to form what would be the nation's first union of college athletes.

The NLRB released its decision Monday. The losing side does not have an option to appeal.

Northwestern had appealed last year's ruling by a regional NLRB director in Chicago that led to a vote by football players on whether they wanted to form a union. Those ballots were sealed during the appeal and will now be destroyed.

Monday's ruling says unionization could throw off the "competitive balance" between teams by setting different standards for practice, pay and other conditions at union and non-union schools.

Advocates say unionization would help athletes protect their health and financial interests.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.