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Late on Wednesday the regional director of the Chicago office for the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Northwestern University football players had the right to form a union and engage in collective bargaining. The case was brought forward because the players wish to bargain with their university and the N.C.A.A. over scholarships, medical care after graduating, and changes to the games rules to prevent traumatic brain injury. The director, Peter Ohr, said that he based his decision on the number of hours worked, that scholarships could be deemed a contract for compensation, and the degree of power and control coaches had over players? actions, schedules, and scholarships. The ruling is narrow at present, but could easily be extended to other private universities with similar scholarship programs tied to sports. It is still unclear whether student-athletes in nonrevenue sports will be able to make the same case. A spokesperson for Northwestern has said that the university will appeal the decision at the national N.L.R.B.