For the first time, student-athletes from the Dartmouth College Men’s Basketball team are allowed to vote in a union election.  This comes after a historic decision from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling that these student-athletes are considered employees of the institution.

The NLRB found that Dartmouth provides compensation to players in the form of basketball shoes valued more than one thousand dollars ($1000.00) per player per year, tickets to games, lodging, meals, and benefits to Dartmouth’s Peak Performance Program, which includes academic support, career development, sports and counseling psychology, sports nutrition, leadership and mental performance training, strength and conditioning training, sports medicine, and integrative health and wellness.  It also found that Dartmouth exerts control over its basketball players by mandating that they exclusively offer their basketball services to Dartmouth and abide by the policies outlined in the Student-Athlete Handbook.  The Handbook dictates the practice and game schedules, the review of game film, engaging with alumni, and participating in other team-related activities.  When the team is on the road, the Handbook determines the players’ travel itinerary, meal arrangements, and lodging.  Players are required to seek permission to deviate from travel plans, even to obtain a haircut, when playing away games.  The NLRB concluded that no other student organizations are subjected to such strict supervision when departing the Dartmouth campus.

The case is Trustees of Dartmouth College, NLRB Reg’l Dir., No. 01-RC-325633, 2/5/24.

Dartmouth may appeal the decision until February 20, 2024. 

Classifying collegiate athletes as employees may substantially impact colleges across the country, as employees are entitled to various protections under labor and employment laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and unemployment insurance coverage to name a few.