Is it possible for Congress to give college athletes the right to unionize under the National Labor Relations Act in order to create a better balance of power between athletes and their institutions? How important is it to retain the athlete’s “student” relationship to the university? If athletes were allowed to “unionize,” should athletes aggregate by conference or nationally? Would such athlete-organizing power allow athletes to bargain for guaranteed five-year scholarships, long term disability protection, reduction of hours spent on athletics obligations, and addressing abusive practices of coaches? S. 1929, the College Athlete Right to Organize Act, sponsored by Senator Christopher Murphy (CT) was the focus of the discussion.
