In a groundbreaking move that could reshape the landscape of college sports, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team has taken an unprecedented step by voting to unionize. This historic decision marks the first time a college athletic team has moved toward forming a labor union.
On a pivotal day in Hanover, New Hampshire, the Dartmouth basketball players gathered to cast their votes. In an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the players overwhelmingly supported unionization, with a 13-2 vote in favor. Their choice? To join the Service Employees International Union Local 560, which already represents some Dartmouth workers.
“Today is a big day for our team,” said Dartmouth juniors Cade Haskins and Romeo Myrthil, who have led the effort. “We stuck together all season and won this election. It is self-evident that we, as students, can also be both campus workers and union members. Dartmouth seems to be stuck in the past. It’s time for the age of amateurism to end.”
Dartmouth Men’s basketball team could change the future of college basketball
This decision carries significant implications for college athletes across the nation. Here’s why: The NCAA’s amateurism model has long been under scrutiny. With this unionization move, Dartmouth players are challenging the status quo. By asserting their rights as employees, they are questioning the traditional framework that treats college athletes as amateurs while generating substantial revenue for universities and the NCAA.
moreover, Unionizing provides athletes with collective bargaining power. They can negotiate for better working conditions, fair compensation, and improved benefits. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the Dartmouth players have taken a crucial step toward securing their rights.
this decision could trigger a ripple effect across college sports. Other teams, both within the Ivy League and beyond, may follow suit. The precedent set by the basketball team could embolden athletes from various disciplines to explore unionization as a means to advocate for their interests.
Beyond the college campus, this development resonates with athletes nationwide. It challenges the traditional notion of amateurism and underscores the need for reform. Whether this movement spreads to other sports and universities remains to be seen, but the basketball team has ignited a conversation that transcends the hardwood.