A new labor movement is taking shape in American college sports as the United College Athletes Association announced its formal launch on July 31, 2024, backed by the AFL‑CIO and several professional sports unions. The organization, which traces its roots to a 2021 effort by runner Andrew Cooper, frames athlete representation as both a student‑rights and workplace issue, promising to use collective bargaining to protect, organize, and advocate for college athletes across the country.
A historic push for athlete representation
The UCAA was founded in 2021 by Andrew Cooper, a former Washington State University runner, with the explicit goal of giving college athletes a collective voice. Its mission centers on leveraging labor law to secure fair compensation, health protections, and academic safeguards through negotiated agreements. By positioning athletes as workers, the association seeks to embed collective bargaining into the fabric of collegiate athletics.
In Oregon, the women’s basketball team at Oregon State University is actively pursuing union recognition. The 14‑player roster has filed a petition with the Oregon Employment Relations Board to certify a union under the state’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act. Katelyn Oldham, an attorney representing the group, has warned that the university may mount legal challenges, citing financial interests that could be threatened by athlete unionization.
Legal and political backdrop
Jennifer Abruzzo, a former general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, serves as an advisor to the UCAA. In a memo during the Biden administration, she argued that college athletes should be classified as university employees eligible for union representation. Her stance drew swift political reaction: former President Donald Trump terminated her role shortly after the memo’s release, underscoring the partisan tensions surrounding athlete labor rights.
The AFL‑CIO’s endorsement provides the UCAA with substantial resources and institutional credibility, positioning the nascent union to navigate complex legal terrain. While the movement gains momentum, it also faces formidable obstacles, including potential litigation from institutions wary of financial repercussions and a regulatory environment that remains unsettled.