• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Dartmouth Basketball Players File Charge Over School’s Refusal to Bargain

  • Representatives for men’s basketball players filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board.
  • The school has said it would fight the decision to let players unionize with all available legal mechanisms.
Syndication: The Providence Journal

The Dartmouth men’s basketball team continues to fight for the right to formally unionize.

Representatives for the players filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday, alleging the school refuses to enter collective bargaining conversations with athletes. 

The Service Employees International Union Local 560 chapter, which represents many of Dartmouth’s campus unions, filed the charge on behalf of men’s basketball players “because Dartmouth’s public refusal to bargain in good faith … is in violation of both labor law and Dartmouth’s very own Code of Ethics,” the group said in a statement.

In February, an NLRB regional director ruled that the athletes could unionize, and the players voted 13–2 to join SEIU Local 560 a month later. Dartmouth College immediately filed a request to appeal the decision to the national board. The NCAA and Ivy League have both filed briefs in support of Dartmouth’s appeal—unsurprising positions given that the case that could, ultimately, result in the death of amateurism.

“For nearly 60 years, Dartmouth has followed a tradition of bargaining fair and equitable union contracts with our local,” Local 560 president Chris Peck said in a statement. “While expensive legal judgments continue to pile up against the NCAA, the tide has shifted and it is past time for Dartmouth administration to avoid the looming financial and legal liabilities by grasping this opportunity to show leadership, as the players have, and live up to its own rhetoric regarding the importance of both community and dialogue.” 

The charge could go before the local board for a hearing if the NLRB decides to take up the case. It’s the same mechanism that the National College Players Association, led by longtime college athlete Ramogi Huma, used to accuse USC, the Pac-12, and the NCAA of illegally classifying football and basketball players as amateurs, rather than employees. That case was heard at the NLRB’s local Los Angeles office this past winter, and is currently awaiting a ruling. 

Dartmouth said in a statement that it expected its refusal to bargain—which the school called “an unprecedented step in Dartmouth’s long history of labor negotiations”—would lead to an unfair labor practice charge. “We maintain that the regional director made an extraordinary mistake in finding these students are employees. Varsity athletes in the Ivy League are not employees,” the school said in a statement. It claimed its refusal to come to the table was “the only lever we can engage to ensure this matter is reviewed by a federal court.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

University of Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.

NBA Season About to Tip Off With New TV Deal—but No LeBron..

James will reportedly be out until mid-November.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Tortillas

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.
October 13, 2025

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.
Patrick Kraft
October 13, 2025

Penn State Says Adidas Had No Role in James Franklin Firing or..

Franklin is owed tens of millions of dollars.
October 13, 2025

College Football Coach Firings Nearing $100M in Contract Buyouts

Two other coaches besides James Franklin were fired Sunday.