Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

Why some college athletes want to unionize

Feb 7, 2024
A regional director of the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Dartmouth's men's basketball players are employees who can form a union.
Players on the Dartmouth Big Green basketball team filed a petition to unionize in the fall. Above, the Dartmouth Big Green basketball team in 2021.
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Women's soccer is growing globally. U.S. college sports are part of that.

Investment and equality in U.S. college sports has translated to more success for women in soccer around the world.
U.S. colleges have provided women's soccer players from around the world the resources, investment and infrastructure needed for strong development. Pictured: Merel van Dongen (R) of the Netherlands during the 2023 World Cup. She played soccer at the University of Alabama before going on to an international career.

How close are college athletes to getting a cut of media revenue?

Aug 26, 2022
Now that the NCAA allows players to make money off their name, image and likeness, attention is turning to revenue from media deals.
Eventually, schools that earn a lot of money from football — like the University of Texas — may have to put athletes on their payrolls. 
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Student athletes, schools and conferences gain power as NCAA's wanes

Aug 13, 2021
State laws allowing athletes to make money and court decisions curbing the NCAA’s authority are reinventing big-money college sports.
The Texas Longhorns, the biggest moneymaker in college football, celebrate during a trophy presentation at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The team plans to leave the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference.
Tim Warner via Getty Images

Student-athlete compensation in focus at Supreme Court

Apr 1, 2021
Meanwhile, March Madness, the NCAA's most profitable event, is in full swing.
Aari McDonald (left) and head coach Adia Barnes of the Arizona Wildcats are showered with confetti after beating the Indiana Hoosiers and advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament.
Elsa/Getty Images

When collegiate sports are sidelined, schools and local economies take a hit

Aug 4, 2020
Competitive athletic programs are vital to collegiate economics, one expert says. Local businesses depend on them, too.
The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate their victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2019 NCAA championship. The men's basketball tournament is the financial engine that drives the NCAA.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

What you need to know about the NCAA and paying student athletes

Nov 13, 2019
This week on "Make Me Smart," we're talking about a longtime controversy that's starting to boil over. Here's a refresher.
The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate with the trophy after their 85-77 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

NCAA getting closer to letting student athletes cash in on names and likenesses

Nov 1, 2019
The move comes after California's "Student Athlete Bill of Rights" law.
Katelyn Ohashi of UCLA competes in the floor exercise during a meet against Stanford at Pauley Pavilion in March 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Katharine Lotze/Getty Images

Zion Williamson's shoe: The business of college sports footwear

Feb 22, 2019
Duke's Zion Williamson split his Nike shoe wide open in a game against rival North Carolina, injuring his knee.
Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after falling as his shoe breaks against Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

NCAA Division II teams are investing millions in their athletics

Dec 13, 2018
Universities regard football as the welcome mat to their institutions. And even schools in the NCAA Division II are taking it seriously enough to invest millions in the their athletic facilities.