What are the goals of a union? Most unions make sure their members have the essentials: fair wages, affordable healthcare, job security, respectful safe workplaces, and fair scheduling.
When it comes to unions in pro sports, players associations serve a number of different roles. According to the NHLPA, the “key areas of support and management the association provides” are:
- Negotiating terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the NHL
- Certification Program for player agents
- Salary Arbitration
- Player Grievances
- Professional development programs
- Improving working conditions and creating player safety initiatives[1]
In the last week, the NHLPA bolstered support for its athletes when it entered into an agreement with Boston College which will “enable current and former members of the NHLPA to complete their education through NHLPA UNLMT at Boston College.”[2]
On February 26th, the NHLPA finalized an agreement with the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College (“WCAS”) “to help association members complete the coursework needed to earn a college diploma or certificate.”[3]
NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh discussed the agreement: “The NHLPA is constantly encouraging its players to take advantage of opportunities, including personal development through continuing education.”[4] “A college diploma sets players up for success by preparing them for the next phase of their lives. To help our members earn a degree from a renowned university like Boston College is a win-win for all involved.”[5]
The agreement comes as the NHL faces a harsh reality, the same as many other sports organizations: players leave school early to play professionally. According to the NHL, more than a third of its players played college hockey in the United States or Canada, with most of them leaving school early.[6]
The University at Buffalo offers a similar program in the concentration of Data Analytics in Sports Law and Management. [7] The program is “a self-paced multi-micro-credential program for anyone seeking an introduction to data analysis within the business, regulatory, and legal framework of sports.”[8] Currently, the University at Buffalo is offering badges in Data Analytics, Sports Law, Player Performance, Roster Management, Analytics Law, and Athlete Representation.
The micro-credentials are designed for current and former athletes and sports professionals and are “appropriate for anyone seeking an introduction to data analysis within the business, regulatory, and legal framework of sports.”[9] Vincent LoVerde, a former professional hockey player described UB’s program saying “[a]s a current player in the professional ranks, I think this class is of tremendous importance to all current and former players looking to transition from playing to post hockey life.”[10] The program works as an avenue for elite athletes to learn how to use the skills they have acquired throughout their careers to transition to the next phase.
The NHLPA deal comes in the same week that the MLB entered into an agreement with Syracuse University to “offer market-relevant and industry-specific online degrees, certificates and credentials, as well as a range of non-credit professional development and executive education training programs, courses and workshops.”[11]
Overall, the deals signal a continued level of support that players associations are offering to their members in 2025. Changing priorities from players and acknowledgement of reality from the leagues is prompting the unions to take action. Continuing education deals will aim to build a stronger bridge to post-retirement careers.
[1] https://www.nhlpa.com/the-pa/what-we-do#:~:text=The%20primary%20role%20of%20the,%2C%20pension%2C%20insurance%20and%20communications.,
[2] https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-22824/boston-college-national-hockey-league-players-association-sign-education-agreement
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/spring/woods-college-enters-degree-completion-partnership-with-nhlpa.html
[7] Data Analytics in Sports Law and Management – Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science – University at Buffalo
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] https://news.syr.edu/blog/2025/02/25/syracuse-university-major-league-baseball-players-association-team-up-to-offer-academic-programs-to-current-and-former-players/
Photo Credit: Boston College, National Hockey League Players’ Association Sign Education Agreement | NHLPA.com
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