NCAA Student Athlete Unionization Opens Up New Can of Worms in College Sports

Just like the great Bob Dylan once said, "The times they are a-changin'."

Northwestern University football players won a recent legal battle as the National Labor Relations Board ruled they are employees and can unionize.

This is unprecedented in college sports.

This controversial ruling will be appealed by Northwestern, but if it sticks it will affect all college sports--and what about Title IX? I always thought they were athletes and students or visa-versa. But this ruling, if it stands, says student athletes are paid employees of the school. The ruling states that the athletes work 55-60 hours a week with their training and continue the same hours with their football season.

RELATED: The Drive with Jack discusses NCAA unionization

The unionization effort has been organized by former Wildcats quarterback Kain Kolter and the College Players Association. The organization is big-time supported by the United Steelworkers. This is all new to everyone and they have a ways to go yet, but you have to ask yourself if this is this the tip of the iceberg.

All I can say is: Employees of the school? I'm not buying that. In my mind, athletes should be able to do paid appearances and sell awards they have earned for achievement. Their scholarships are worth close to $100,000--my point being if you're going to get paid as an employee you should pay for your tuition.