The National Labor Rules Board has ruled that private FBS schools must eliminate “unlawful” rules restricting players from expressing themselves, ESPN reported on Monday.
The ruling, which referred to players as “employees”, states players must be allowed to freely post on social media, discuss their health and speak with the media.
Syracuse University, one of 17 private FBS schools, must now comply with these new rules.
The NLRB’s decision stems from a 2015 charge against Northwestern alleging the school was guilty of "unfair labor practices" in its treatment of football players. Northwestern once forbid players from talking to any media not previously approved by the school.