The SEIU has requested to withdraw its NLRB petition seeking unionization for the Dartmouth Men’s Basketball team, per Sportico’s Michael McCann, who adds: “A request of this nature means the union voluntarily no longer wishes to proceed and informs the NLRB it doesn’t want the agency’s jurisdiction to enforce any rights. Withdrawal is not automatic and must be granted by the agency. The timing of the request reflects the union’s desire to have it reviewed by the agency before President Joe Biden’s term ends on Jan. 20. It is also not an isolated maneuver in that representation withdrawal requests for other labor matters are anticipated over the next couple of weeks. […] By making the request to withdraw while [NLRB General Counsel Jennifer] Abruzzo is still in place, the union believes it is likely the NLRB will grant it. If the union waited until after Jan. 20, there is concern the request would be denied so that the agency could then reject the union and create precedent. The players have seen their (and other Dartmouth athletes’) school health care benefits improve while they have been a bargaining unit. They could still file a lawsuit seeking backpay and other compensation associated with the Fair Labor Standards Act and accompanying state laws on grounds they have been recognized as employees. However, that would necessitate a new legal action and is unlikely to happen. Their efforts are instead expected to focus on developing the Ivy League Players’ Association as a vehicle to negotiate group licensing deals on behalf of Ivy league athletes on a conference-wide level.” More. (link)