In a groundbreaking move, the Dartmouth men's basketball team has become the first NCAA Division I team to officially vote in favor of unionizing. The historic vote, with a tally of 13-2 in favor, is seen as a significant blow to the NCAA's long-standing model of amateurism. It follows a previous ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional director, declaring that college players should be classified as employees under U.S. labor law.

The vote, conducted on Dartmouth's campus amid a cold and rainy afternoon, marks the next step in a prolonged case being heard by the NLRB since September. The players were represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 560 chapter. Cade Haskins and Romeo Myrthil, two players leading the unionization effort, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, stating that they believe student-athletes can simultaneously be campus workers and union members.

If the players successfully unionize, they would have the ability to negotiate various aspects, including wages, working hours, overtime pay, and even workers' compensation. This would potentially undermine the NCAA's longstanding efforts to prevent players from qualifying for such benefits. Haskins, a junior player, emphasized the importance of additional health insurance benefits to cover costs related to injuries.

The unionization of the Dartmouth men's basketball team sets a new precedent that may pave the way for similar efforts within private schools' Division I basketball programs. While the NLRB lacks jurisdiction over public sector institutions, there is the possibility that the NCAA will need to consider allowing employee status for D-I players at public schools to maintain its integrity. Another ongoing NLRB case in California regarding USC football and basketball player employment status could further expand the NLRB's jurisdiction over public school D-I athletes.

The voting process took place over a short period of time, with players casting their ballots individually throughout a 90-minute period. The majority of the team arrived together, showing solidarity in their decision. After the ballots were counted by NLRB representatives, the results were announced in the presence of reporters, union representatives, and school officials.

Dartmouth University and the NCAA have made concerted efforts to prevent the players from unionizing. The athletic department disseminated communications discouraging coaches from supporting the union effort, while also sending a letter to the players warning of potential negative consequences. The university filed a motion to halt the vote and keep the ballots from being counted or revealed publicly, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Dartmouth officially appealed the ruling to the NLRB's national board, leaving the possibility for the case to escalate to the Supreme Court.

While Dartmouth University maintains that the student-athletes should not be classified as employees and emphasizes the importance of academics for Ivy League students, the players argue that unionization would grant them the opportunity to secure additional benefits, similar to what dining hall workers at Dartmouth achieved through collective bargaining.

The efforts by the Dartmouth men's basketball team have attracted attention from other major conferences, with players expressing interest in learning more about the unionization process. Cade Haskins and Romeo Myrthil expressed hopes that all NCAA athletes will have the option to unionize and collectively bargain if they so choose.

Although a previous attempt by the Northwestern football team to unionize in 2014 ultimately failed, the Dartmouth men's basketball team remains committed to their cause. Myrthil and Haskins expressed confidence that, even if the appeals process extends beyond their graduation, younger players on the team will continue advocating for the unionization of college athletes.

With their focus now shifted towards their upcoming game against Harvard, the Dartmouth men's basketball team is not only demonstrating their skills on the court but also taking an active role in shaping the future of college athletics.