Barstool Sports in Hot Water with National Labor Relations Board

On January 27, 2020, a complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that Barstool Sports “engaged in and is engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning of section 8(a), subsections (1) of the National Labor Relations Act.” While the complaint is devoid of facts regarding Barstool’s alleged violation(s), it is suspected that the unfair labor practices took place on January 22, 2020, during Episode 22 of The Kirk Minihane Show, a popular Barstool Sports podcast.

During the podcast, Minihane …

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NLRB Opens its Doors to Protect College Football Players as Employees

On January 31, 2017, the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) released a memo which stated it believed football players at private colleges qualify as employees. The Board declined to answer this question in 2015 when they dismissed a unionization effort by players at Northwestern University, citing concerns of instability if such a decision was rendered that only pertained to private universities. However, a recent decision by the NLRB that found in favor of graduate teaching assistants challenging their status …

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National Labor Relations Board’s Counsel Finds Some Limits on Players Unlawful

On October 10, 2016, the National Labor Relations Board’s general counsel declared that some Northwestern University football team rules were unlawful pursuant to an advice memorandum dated September 22, 2016. This ruling found that the players must be freely allowed to post on social media, discuss issues of their health and safety, and speak with the media.

While this ruling has no force of law on the other sixteen private schools, if a similar complaint is ever filed at one of those schools, this memorandum …

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