In an "unprecedented foray into college sports," the National Labor Relations Board has declared that Northwestern Univ. "must eliminate 'unlawful' rules governing football players and allow them greater freedom to express themselves," according to Lester Munson of ESPN.com. The ruling, which "referred to players as employees, found that they must be freely allowed to post on social media, discuss issues of their health and safety, and speak with the media." The new rules "apply to the football programs at the 17 private universities that play in the FBS ... but not public universities." The 17 private schools "will no longer be able to ban players from posting on social media -- as some high-profile programs have done -- or even regulate what they say." Northwestern once "barred players from talking to any media not approved by the school," but it is "no longer allowed to do so." The NLRB ruling will "offer athletes a clear path to bring their issues before an independent agency outside of the organizations that have historically governed college athletics." While this ruling "did not address compensation for athletes, someone could now file a charge with the NLRB asserting that failing to pay players constitutes an unfair labor practice." The action against Northwestern "stemmed from a charge filed" in August '15 against the school by activist labor lawyer David Rosenfeld and echoed the '14 "attempt by Northwestern players to form a union." Rosenfeld "had no previous connection with Northwestern" (ESPN.com, 10/10).
