CHICAGO – The former linebacker leading the drive to form the nation's first union for college athletes says he fears a congressional hearing Thursday could be a step toward erecting legislative barriers to unionization.
College Athletes Players Association President Ramogi Huma says Thursday's hearing in Washington could seek "to legitimize the NCAA's illegitimate effort to eliminate college athletes' rights."
In a landmark March ruling, a regional labor board said Northwestern football players can unionize. The school has appealed and the results of an April 25 player vote has been sealed for now.
In announcing the hearing by the House Education and Workforce Committee, chairman John Kline criticized that ruling. The Minnesota Republican said it "threatens to fundamentally alter college sports."