Dive Brief:

• As expected, Northwestern University is formally appealing the National Labor Relations Board ruling that allows its football players to unionize.
• The NLRB’s regional director ignored and mischaracterized relevant facts in the ruling that recognized the football players as Northwestern employees, the university stated in its appeal to the NLRB in Washington.
• If the board accepts Northwestern’s request for a review, then the union vote scheduled for April 25 could be delayed.

Dive Insight:

Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune reports that “a handful” of the players, including starting quarterback Trevor Siemian, say they no longer support unionization. To establish a union, a majority of the players would have to vote in favor of having the College Athletes Players Association represent them. If the NLRB grants Northwestern’s request, both the university and CAPA would file documents supporting their positions and the board would uphold, modify, or reverse the regional director’s ruling.