Board rules Northwestern football players can form unions

In a move that has the potential to change sports on the college levels the Chicago office of the National Labor Relations board has ruled that the players at Northwestern University should be recognized as employees.  This means that they can now form unions and engage in collective bargaining.

Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter together with Ramogi Huma, president of College Athletes Players Association were the ones to began the case on January 28.  They had signed a petition to form a union.  Their goal is better medical coverage for players and four year scholarships for athletes.  They also want better testing for concussions with doctors on the field.  This was debated in February between CAPA  and Northwestern lawyers.

Northwestern argued that their priority is education not sports however lawyers from CAPA disagreed saying that scholarships are a form of payment.  In addition they said their are certain rules which apply only to athletes and not to regular students.

In a statement a spokesman for the NCAA said that student athletes play because they love the sport and not because they want to get paid.

Northwestern has said that they will appeal the ruling.