NLRB Official: College Athletes Are Employees Of Their Schools

By Adam Roberts – 9/29/2021

It’s been perhaps the most chaotic stretch of time in history for the NCAA, with the very foundation of what makes the institution exist being shaken to its core with the allowance of name, image, and likeness for athletes. Today, another landmark decision could deal another blow.

College athletes are employees of their schools.

That’s according to a memo issued by the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. Jennifer Abruzzo issued her decision years after an effort was made to unionize football players at Northwestern University. The NLRB didn’t take up that case in 2015. However, Abruzzo noted “significant developments” in things like regulations from the NCAA since that time.