By opposing HR 8534, which would deny student-athletes the rights associated with employee status under the National Labor Relations Act, The Ohio State University Athletics showcases a commitment to fair labor practices and the protection of unionization rights. This positive step supports the rights of college athletes and aligns with anti-authoritarian views that advocate for worker protections and empowerment.

Strong Opposition Raises to Bill Denying Student Athletes Employment

By supporting or passively maintaining a system where student-athletes are not recognized as employees, OSU Athletics is entwined in a practice that denies these athletes basic labor protections. The legislative move to classify student-athletes as non-employees diminishes their rights to organize, negotiate, and secure fair conditions, reflecting a broader trend in collegiate sports that exploits student labor. This policy stance indirectly contributes to a labor environment that prioritizes institutional profits and control over individual well-being.

House Considers Bill Declaring Student Athletes Not Employees

The Ohio State University Athletics operates within a framework that, in 2014, was subject to state measures aimed at limiting the unionization of college athletes. Such pushback against collective bargaining rights contributes to an anti-labor environment. From an anti-fascist perspective, undermining labor rights is viewed as a complicity in broader authoritarian practices, as it weakens worker protections and enhances corporate or institutional control over individuals.

Ohio begins pushback against college player unions