Oregon State Women's Basketball Players Initiate Historic Unionization Effort

Members of the Oregon State women's basketball team submitted a petition for union representation to the Oregon Employment Relations Board on Friday, marking a significant step in women's college sports. This initiative, announced by the United College Athletes Association (UCAA), aims to empower players to negotiate with their university.

In total, more than 100 women's college basketball players have signed union authorization cards over the past six months. This movement began in 2024 when players reached out to Big Ten and SEC leaders for a formal process to address issues affecting college athletes, but their request was denied. As a result, they organized under the UCAA.

While the full list of participating athletes is not disclosed, 10 out of 13 Oregon State players have joined the effort, including senior guard Jenna Villa, who serves on the UCAA's interim executive committee. The UCAA plans to negotiate with individual schools, starting in Oregon due to its favorable labor laws. Despite the NCAA's stance against classifying student-athletes as employees, UCAA leaders assert that college athletes deserve rights and protections similar to those of professional athletes.