Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

What Benefits Could College Athletes Receive From Collective Bargaining?

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: April 14, 2014

Key Contacts

Back

When Peter Sung Ohr – regional director of the Chicago Office of the National Labor Relations Board – ruled in favor of Northwestern University football players, this group was given the right to unionize.

As a result, the college athletes received the right to collectively bargain with the university – as they are now considered employees.

The following are some of the major issues that football players could bargain with the university over:

  • Wages – For the entire existence of the NCAA, athletes were not monetarily compensated. Whether a football or lacrosse player, these people signed a scholarship that provided them with a free education to play sports. If Northwestern University football players enter into collective bargaining with the school this could change as they may want to negotiate wages based on their play.
  • Hours – Another item the NU football players could negotiate is work hours or practice time, in their case. Student-athletes have a lot of responsibility between classes and sports and to some, the time commitment can be overwhelming. If that is the case at NU, the football players could negotiate for fewer hours at practice to put more of a focus on school.
  • Scholarship revoking – Sports scholarships are often a year-to-year deal. While scholarship can not be revoked based on athletic performance, coaches could pressure a kid to transfer by taking away his playing time. NU football players could help prevent these types of situations through collective bargaining by making scholarships four-year binding agreements under all circumstances.

There is still a long legal process ahead, but it will be interesting to see if NU football players are able to change the NCAA with this ruling, or if it will be overturned. Should that be the case, the NCAA will likely remain the same.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan post image

When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan

Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]

Author: George McGowan

Link to post with title - "When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan"
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips post image

Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips

Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips"
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation post image

Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation

The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation"
How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce post image

How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce

The most effective ways to protect your business in a divorce are put in place before one begins: a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clean separation of business and personal finances, and divorce contingencies built into your operating or buy-sell agreements. If divorce is already underway, the priorities shift to establishing how the business is classified […]

Author: Jay McDaniel

Link to post with title - "How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce"
10 Common Issues in Franchise Disputes post image

10 Common Issues in Franchise Disputes

The most common franchise disputes involve breach of contract, franchise termination and non-renewal, intellectual property rights, territorial encroachment, royalty and fee payments, franchisor support obligations, and violations of state franchise laws such as the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Franchisors and franchisees can often resolve these conflicts by providing written notice detailing the dispute and […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "10 Common Issues in Franchise Disputes"
Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together post image

Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together

New Jersey businesses must manage legal and reputational risk together because modern disputes play out on two fronts at once: the legal proceeding itself and the court of public opinion, where customers, employees, investors, and business partners often reach conclusions long before a judge or jury has had the opportunity to evaluate the facts. Success […]

Author: Sean M. Pena

Link to post with title - "Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.
“If you would like to submit a file, please email it directly to info@sh-law.com.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!