Lawsuit challenges NCAA eligibility rule impacting 2022 high school graduates

A group of 15 college basketball players has filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court, challenging a new NCAA Division I eligibility rule that they claim unfairly prevents athletes who graduated high school in 2022 from competing for a fifth season. The NCAA's recently approved rule allows athletes five seasons of competition within a five-year period, beginning with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday. This change largely eliminates waivers for extended eligibility, except for specific circumstances like religious missions, pregnancy, or military service, and no longer considers injuries for extensions.

The lawsuit, filed in Cincinnati, seeks temporary and permanent injunctive relief to grant a fifth year of competition to athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and began their college careers that fall without redshirting. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that the rule unjustifiably restrains their ability to earn money through name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. They contend that the NCAA's application of the rule allows athletes from the high school classes of 2017-20 and 2023-25 an additional year of competition while denying the plaintiffs the same opportunity. The complaint also notes that the NCAA allowed former professional players to compete in their fifth year regardless of professional games played, while denying plaintiffs the same chance.

Nine of the plaintiffs currently play or plan to play next season at Ohio schools, and the rest have competed in multiple games in the state. The lawsuit asserts that NCAA athletes have a reasonable expectation of fair treatment and consistent rule application, regardless of their background or high school graduation year. Similar lawsuits are anticipated in other states.