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Congressmen introduce bill that would allow college athletes to unionize

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Two United States congressmen have introduced a bill that would make college athletes “employees” of a university, and therefore able to unionize.

Senators Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders penned the bill. If it passes, it would have a significant impact on college athletics.

There’s also a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

This is the latest development in the redefining of how college athletes are compensated. Name, image and likeness legislation — which allow for athletes to individually profit — have received bipartisan support in numerous states this year.

“Big time college sports haven’t been ‘amateur’ for a long time, and the NCAA has long denied its players economic and bargaining rights while treating them like commodities,” Murphy said in a statement. “That’s why I’m introducing the College Athlete Right to Organize Act, which finally recognizes college athletes as employees and allows athletes to collectively bargain with their colleges and across conferences. Having the right to do so will help athletes get the pay and protections they deserve and forces the NCAA to treat them as equals rather than second-class citizens. It’s a civil rights issue, and a matter of basic fairness.”

Here’s more details on what the bill would entail, via Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger:

 

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.