Most U.S. adults oppose college athletes joining unions, with younger demographics showing more support, as Dartmouth men's basketball players move towards forming the first labor union in college sports.

The Big Picture

While a majority of Americans are against college athletes unionization, younger respondents, Democrats, and Independents are more open to the idea.

By the Numbers
  • 55% of adults believe NCAA athletes should not be allowed to form unions.
  • About 6 in 10 adults under 45 support college athletes forming unions.
Yes, But

Republican Sen. Tuberville and NCAA President Baker have opposing views on athletes unionizing, with Tuberville warning it could harm college sports.

State of Play
  • Efforts for federal laws on athlete compensation and NCAA antitrust protections are ongoing in Congress.
  • Dartmouth's men's basketball players voted to join a union, sparking potential change in college sports dynamics.
What's Next

Colleges may need to shift from fighting athletes' rights to negotiating on revenue-sharing and safety with athletes.

Bottom Line

The debate over college athletes forming unions reflects generational and political divides, potentially reshaping the landscape of college sports.