College athletes are unionizing. Could this change sports?

In a historic move, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team has voted to unionize, just ahead of the NCAA’s March Madness tournament. It’s part of a larger movement of student-athletes seeking better pay and conditions, possibly transforming college sports.

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The college sports landscape has changed dramatically in the past decade, particularly when it comes to the rights and privileges of student-athletes. In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court decided unanimously in NCAA v. Alston that students were allowed to earn money from their name, image and likeness. And shortly after President Biden was inaugurated, he appointed a national labor board president who has been supportive of student-athletes unionizing. 

Dartmouth has pushed back against the unionization effort, calling it “inappropriate” and filing an appeal. For its part, the NCAA appears prepared for a long court fight to preserve amateurism in college athletics.

Jesse Dougherty reports on the business of college sports. He joins “Post Reports” to break down why Dartmouth’s unionization effort succeeded, and what it could mean for college teams nationwide. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks also to Greg Schimmel.

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