Old North News

WASHINGTON – The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, led by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), and the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), have announced a joint hearing to address concerns surrounding student-athletes and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Chair Good expressed his apprehension stating, "The weaponized NLRB consistently misinterprets the National Labor Relations Act, and this may now upend college sports. Classifying athletic conferences as joint employers is absurd and opens institutions up to massive liabilities and costs, completely distorting the relationship between athletes and their universities. The NLRB’s actions will negatively impact countless student-athletes, faculty, and the entire student body at these institutions."

Chair Owens, drawing from his personal experience as a former college athlete, remarked, "As a former college athlete, I understand the challenge of balancing the demands of giving 100 percent both in the classroom and on the field. The current push to label student-athletes as employees undermines the primary responsibility of colleges and universities: to deliver a high-quality education. Our committee is dedicated to student success, and during this hearing, we'll explore the far-reaching implications of the NLRB’s interpretation of the National Labor Relations Act."

The joint Subcommittee hearing, titled "Safeguarding Student-Athletes from NLRB Misclassification," is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 2175 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will be open to the press and live-streamed on the Committee’s YouTube page.