In a groundbreaking decision, a regional official from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that Dartmouth basketball players are considered employees of the esteemed Ivy League school. This momentous declaration paves the way for a historic election, as it could lead to the creation of the first labor union for NCAA athletes.

All 15 members of the Dartmouth men's basketball team demonstrated their support by signing a petition in September, expressing their desire to join the ranks of Local 560, a branch of the Service Employees International Union. Notably, this union already represents various other employees at the Hanover-based institution. By unionizing, the players would gain the ability to negotiate not only their salaries but also their working conditions, which encompass crucial aspects such as practice hours and travel arrangements.

However, it is important to note that the NCAA and universities nationwide have long maintained that their athletes are students, not employees. This sets the stage for a potential conflict between the student-athlete model and calls for athletes to be recognized as employees entitled to certain rights and protections.

While this decision marks a significant victory for the Dartmouth basketball program, the school still has the option to appeal the regional director's ruling to the national board, following a similar path taken by Northwestern University's football team in 2014. In the event of an appeal, the election ballots would be securely impounded until a final ruling is determined.

Drawing parallels from the Northwestern case, the NLRB ultimately decided that allowing the football players at the Big Ten university to unionize would disrupt the labor market within the conference. Consequently, the Northwestern ballots were destroyed, with no resolution reached concerning the players' employee status. However, it is worth noting that all eight Ivy League schools, including Dartmouth, are private institutions, potentially providing a different legal context for this case.

In addition to the Dartmouth proceedings, there is a separate complaint currently under consideration by a different NLRB body in California. This complaint argues that football and basketball players at the University of Southern California (USC) should also be classified as employees, further fueling the ongoing discussion surrounding the rights and representation of NCAA athletes.

The regional official's ruling in favor of Dartmouth basketball players being recognized as employees signals a potentially significant turning point in college athletics. As the university weighs its options, the nation eagerly awaits the final outcome, as it could have far-reaching implications for the entire NCAA landscape.