Federal Court Ruling Alters NCAA Eligibility Landscape
A recent decision by a federal court in Denver has significantly impacted the NCAA’s eligibility rules, allowing all high school class of 2022 athletes who have completed their fourth year of college sports eligibility to participate in a fifth season. This ruling from U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney, which could face an appeal, challenges the NCAA’s plan to implement the “five for five” rule starting in the fall of 2027.
The decision could lead to complex changes in team rosters nationwide. For example, an undrafted football player currently in an NFL training camp might choose to return to college for an additional season. Judge Sweeney, in granting the preliminary injunction, argued that the athletes would endure “irreparable harm” if the injunction were not granted, countering the NCAA’s claims of potential “roster chaos.”
NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed concern over the ruling, suggesting it underscores the need for a Congressional bill that would offer the NCAA antitrust protection on eligibility matters. Baker remarked, “Today’s rulings and the chaos they bring to college sports are exactly why it’s time to pass this bill.”
This Colorado court ruling follows a Tennessee court decision that allowed Jalen Washington, a former Vanderbilt basketball player, and 18 other athletes a fifth year of eligibility. In June, the NCAA had approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes, permitting five seasons of competition within a five-year span, beginning when they enroll full-time or the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
While the Tennessee ruling was specific to those 19 basketball players, the Colorado decision applies more broadly. It grants class certification to the plaintiffs, meaning all Division I athletes who began their college careers in the 2022-23 season are eligible for the fifth year, not just a limited group.
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