One city at a time

The GIST: On Monday, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional director ruled that under U.S. labor law, Dartmouth’s men’s basketball team members are considered the school’s employees, the first nail in the coffin for the NCAA’s beleaguered amateurism model.

How we got here: In September 2023, 15 Dartmouth teammates filed a petition with the NLRB to unionize, hoping to be reclassified as employees to receive compensation and healthcare benefits (especially considering Ivy League schools don’t offer athletic scholarships). In an op-ed for the student paper, the players referred to the current model as a “brazen exploitation of athlete labor.”

• And the Big Green aren’t alone in challenging the status quo: Several groups are currently pursuing paydays and other worker protections from their institutions.

What it means: As employees, Dartmouth’s men’s hoopers now have entitlements to wages, healthcare benefits, and other employment standards, including the right to unionize. More importantly, nothing prevents every Division I (DI) athlete from pursuing a similar setup.

• In response, Dartmouth argued it can’t afford to pay its athletes and will likely appeal to the NLRB’s national board, which notably blocked Northwestern football players’ 2014 unionization attempt. But that denial was based on a technicality, which may not apply here.

What’s next: If the ruling holds, the precedent would signal the end of the amateurism model as we know it. What does this mean for female athletes? Critics worry that added expenses of athlete wages will sink women’s and nonrevenue sports like gymnastics, soccer, and more.

• But Title IX — which requires schools to provide equal opportunities based on sex — still protects female athletes, so for now, there’s nothing to do but watch this space.

The GIST: While NBA hoopers continue to post stunning stat lines on the court, the real basketball blockbusters are going down off it, with WNBA free agency in full swing and the NBA trade deadline set for tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET. Hoop, there it is.

WNBA free agency: Take cover because there’s a new big three in Seattle. The Storm inked top free agent and former MVP Nneka Ogwumike to a one-year deal on Monday, their latest massive acquisition following last week’s signing of six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith.

• That electric duo will join forces with last year’s league-leading scorer, Jewell Loyd, as Seattle seeks a return to the postseason. A storm is certainly brewing.

• Elsewhere, the rebuilding Chicago Sky dealt 2021 Finals MVP and franchise star Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for multiple draft picks and two players.

NBA trade deadline: Woj bombs, incoming…maybe. Typically a day of chaos in one of sport’s most dramatic leagues, this year’s NBA trade deadline is expected to be more tame with superstars likely staying put. But some key role players could still be on the move as playoff-contending teams look to load up for the final postseason push.

• The ones to watch? Last year’s Sixth Man of the Year and current Portland Trailblazer Malcolm Brogdon and 2022 All-Star Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks. Stay tuned.

There’s no time like the present to set a lofty goal — how about running a marathon? Milk is hosting the first-ever Every Woman’s Marathon in November, a female-first race designed for runners of every skill level. Creating a safe space to try new things? HYFR.

• But this is more than a marathon: it’s a self-care weekend. Fuel up with milk, the original performance drink, offering electrolytes, protein, B vitamins, and more, before heading to complimentary yoga and cooking classes, and tackling your race.

Best of all, Team Milk will support you every step of the way with special training guides designed by five expert marathoners, including friend of The GIST, Kathrine Switzer. Sign up today to lock in discounted early bird pricing and kick off 2024 on the right…foot.

🏒 Rivalry Series: USA vs. Canada — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — NHL Network

• With the Americans up 3-1, the puck drops on game five of the fiercest rivalry in sports with the red, white, and blue looking to secure a series-clinching win. LFG.

🎓🥎 NCAA softball: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 Duke — Tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET — FloSoftball

• In a surefire sign that spring is just around the corner, softball season begins on Thursday, highlighted by the top-ranked Sooners beginning their quest for a fourth straight national championship.

🏀 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament: USA vs. Belgium — Tomorrow at 2:45 p.m. ET — Courtside 1891

• The 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup champs have already booked their ticket to Paris 2024 and will use this tourney to evaluate an absolutely stacked player pool in preparation for the Games. Ready for it.

🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: Penn State vs. No. 2 Iowa — Tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET — Big Ten Network

• Hawkeyes hero Caitlin Clark is a mere 66 points away from breaking the all-time NCAA women’s scoring record. Miss potential history? Couldn’t be you.

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