NCAA Athletes From Class of 2022 Can Get 5th Year of Eligibility: Federal Ruling

In a significant legal decision for college athletics, a federal court judge has granted a preliminary injunction that may allow thousands of NCAA athletes from the class of 2022 to receive a fifth year of eligibility. The ruling, issued by Colorado district court judge Charlotte Sweeney, came in response to a proposed class action lawsuit titled Wisne et al v.

NCAA. The lawsuit was filed shortly after the NCAA introduced a new "age-based" eligibility policy in June, effective immediately. This policy allowed players to complete five seasons, starting on their 19th birthday or when they enrolled in college, whichever came first, but excluded athletes from the class of 2022 who had already completed four years by the end of the season, denying them the opportunity for a fifth year.

The ruling sparked a series of similar lawsuits, both in state courts and in federal court, all arguing that the NCAA's decision violated federal antitrust laws. The plaintiffs claimed that denying the fifth year would result in the loss of valuable NIL (name, image, and likeness) opportunities and other educational benefits. The Wisne ruling, which took effect via a 50-page decision, has the potential to grant eligibility to tens of thousands of college athletes.

However, several questions and legal processes remain unclear. The NCAA is likely to appeal the ruling, and it is uncertain whether this decision will be permanent. The ruling also did not directly address the NCAA's "rule of restitution," which could potentially allow the organization to punish athletes and schools who participate in these new eligibility rules after they are overturned in court.

The transfer portal situation also remains unresolved, as it is unclear if the players who were previously eligible would have to violate another NCAA rule to join a team roster between now and September. NCAA president Charlie Baker acknowledged the chaos brought about by the rulings and reiterated his call for Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, a bill aimed at providing legal protections for NCAA rules like eligibility restrictions.

The ruling has left more questions than answers for many athletes, but for now, it represents a significant victory for those who argued against the NCAA's eligibility policy.