How Unionization May Affect SMU and 17 Privates

[Stallion]

oh yes they would. If income tax applied to the benefits of a private school tuition, boarding, meals and other benefits (which is what they are calling "salary") the costs could be enormous to the student athlete. Another consideration is that the NCAA rulebook still applies-the NCAA would have to modify its rulebook before a university could provide extra "salary" not allowed by NCAA rulebook. There could be no bidding war for "salary" under the NCAA Bylaws-unless it was already a permissible benefit. Nothing in the unionization allows a school to by-pass the NCAA Bylaws. I get a kick out of SMU fans that think we can buy ourselves into championships. Get a grip on reality-we have no where near the resources to compete in this scenario with the top tier of the NCAA.

[birddogger]

A real can of worms, to be sure. Are NCAA by-laws preempted by Federal law governing collective bargaining? in other words, can the NCAA prohibit what is allowed or sanctioned in other employer/employee collective bargaining situations (e.g. major league baseball, NFL, UAW?)

More questions:

1. Does the NLRB decision affect only "revenue" sports, like men's basketball and football, and is the profitability of an individual program matter?

2. How does all of this affect Title IX? In other words, if football players are "employees" are they still counted under the Rule for purposes of matching or allocating scholarships in women's athletics?

Realistically, SMU and the other four non-P5 privates have much to lose if they are forced to abide by the Northwestern NLRB ruling without having the right to sweeten the deal for recruits. Maybe a nice antitrust suit would loosen up the ole NCAA if the 17 have to play by a different set of rules.

[Rebel10]

They are just asking for better insurance benefits not a salary. But the NCAA rulebook applies to student athletes not employees. We can already offer unlimited food stipends. So that means each school can offer what they want in that area. I wonder if Bama will offer $5000 or more per month food stipends.

[Stallion]

No no it doesn't. The IRS may tax based upon employment benefits which as mentioned in one of the above articles could very well include tuition, medical benefits, room and board. Read the articles about the NLRB ruling. They found that the players are receiving a "salary" already based upon these benefits they receive. You are creating your own reality that this means schools can pay whatever they want. That's just not correct. Its also incorrect that schools could unilaterally ignore NCAA limitations on permissible benefits without changes to "extra benefits" in NCAA Bylaws. The NCAA defines student-athletes for eligibility purposes-the NLRB defines employees for purposes of labor standards and the IRS gets to define "income" for purposes of income tax. NCAA might change rules but until they do......?

[Rebel10]

No no it doesn't. The IRS may tax based upon employment benefits which as mentioned in one of the above articles could very well include tuition, medical benefits, room and board. Read the articles about the NLRB ruling. They found that the players are receiving a "salary" already based upon these benefits they receive. You are creating your own reality that this means schools can pay whatever they want. That's just not correct. Its also incorrect that schools could unilaterally ignore NCAA limitations on permissible benefits without changes to "extra benefits" in NCAA Bylaws. The NCAA defines student-athletes for eligibility purposes-the NLRB defines employees for purposes of labor standards and the IRS gets to define "income" for purposes of income tax. NCAA might change rules but until they do......?

Maybe the unlimited food stipends can more than make up for it.

[blackoutpony]

. I wonder if Bama will offer $5000 or more per month food stipends.

That's 17,241 Del Taco Tacos
2,512 Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunches
2,008 KFC Go Cups
1,519 Big Macs
1,010 Jimmy John's Turkey Tom's
1,000 Subway Foot Longs
544 Chipotle Burritos (with guac of course)
And 104, 10 oz Filets from Capital Grille

just to put that in perspective.

[Rebel10]

. I wonder if Bama will offer $5000 or more per month food stipends.

That's 17,241 Del Taco Tacos
2,512 Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunches
2,008 KFC Go Cups
1,519 Big Macs
1,010 Jimmy John's Turkey Tom's
1,000 Subway Foot Longs
544 Chipotle Burritos (with guac of course)
And 104, 10 oz Filets from Capital Grille

just to put that in perspective.

Sounds like you are talking from experience.

[bubba pony]

OK, what about right to work states?
http://www.nrtw.org/rtws.htm

won't this be a factor?

[BigT3x]

No no it doesn't. The IRS may tax based upon employment benefits which as mentioned in one of the above articles could very well include tuition, medical benefits, room and board. Read the articles about the NLRB ruling. They found that the players are receiving a "salary" already based upon these benefits they receive. You are creating your own reality that this means schools can pay whatever they want. That's just not correct. Its also incorrect that schools could unilaterally ignore NCAA limitations on permissible benefits without changes to "extra benefits" in NCAA Bylaws. The NCAA defines student-athletes for eligibility purposes-the NLRB defines employees for purposes of labor standards and the IRS gets to define "income" for purposes of income tax. NCAA might change rules but until they do......?

Typical slippery slope fallacy. The IRS determines what is taxable. Why would they change their policy based on the NLRB?

They wouldn't.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

. I wonder if Bama will offer $5000 or more per month food stipends.

That's 17,241 Del Taco Tacos
2,512 Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunches
2,008 KFC Go Cups
1,519 Big Macs
1,010 Jimmy John's Turkey Tom's
1,000 Subway Foot Longs
544 Chipotle Burritos (with guac of course)
And 104, 10 oz Filets from Capital Grille

just to put that in perspective.

It's a lot of pot too.

[Stallion]

NLRB grants application for appellate review of Regional administrative decision in Northwestern case

http://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news- ... letes-case