AP Survey Finds 55% of U.S. Adults Oppose College Athlete Unionization

A survey announced Thursday by the Associated Press and University of Chicago’s NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found college athlete unionization is taking the shape of a partisan political issue. 

The topline finding is that 55% of U.S. adults oppose unionization. The majority of non-white people, Democrats, and those between 18 and 44 years old, though, were mildly in favor of unionization, while white people and those over 45 opposed it by 2-to-1 margins and Republicans opposed it 3-to-1.

The research dropped a week after the Dartmouth men’s basketball team successfully voted to unionize, becoming the first team in NCAA history to do so. As an Ivy League team, players don’t get athletic scholarships, leaving many of them to work side jobs. The players said they want to be compensated for their work.

Researchers surveyed 1,102 adults between Feb. 22 and Feb. 26, a week before the March 5 Dartmouth vote.

The poll extended beyond the topic of unionization. A 53% majority supported revenue sharing, the notion that athletes should receive a portion of their school’s lucrative media-rights payments. The majority of respondents also opposed schools giving athletes a salary, additional spending money, or excuses from certain academic requirements.

When asked about the NCAA, 46% of people said they don’t know enough about it to have an opinion. Only 14% held a favorable position, while 18% said they weren’t in favor, and 23% were indifferent. It’s a fairly lukewarm reading of the organization as it faces numerous legal battles that threaten its entire business model.