sports
Eleven athletes sue NCAA seeking extra eligibility year after five-year rule takes effect
A federal class action lawsuit filed Monday in Colorado challenges the NCAA's five-year eligibility framework. The suit claims the rules exclude athletes who exhausted eligibility in the 2025-26 season from an extra year of competition and NIL opportunities.
Jul 13, 4:45 PM·1m read1 source
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Eleven Division I athletes who exhausted their eligibility in the 2025-26 season filed a federal class action lawsuit Monday in Colorado challenging the NCAA's new eligibility rules. The complaint alleges the NCAA implemented the Five-Year Eligibility Rule on June 24 in a manner designed to bar the plaintiffs from competing in the 2026-27 season.
It states the athletes will lose the chance to finish their careers with teammates and forfeit NIL compensation tied to playing next year.
The suit names Division I basketball standouts Cade Tyson and Brock Wisne among the plaintiffs. It seeks to nullify the rule's application to athletes in their position across sports. The NCAA announced the five-year eligibility change but declined to extend an additional season to those who completed eligibility in 2025-26.
The new framework eliminates most waivers and redshirts, with the eligibility clock starting upon college enrollment or the semester after an athlete turns 19. Rob Shelquist, a partner at Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP, said the athletes seek equal treatment under the updated rules rather than special consideration.
Last week an Ohio judge granted a preliminary injunction allowing 24 men's and women's basketball players to continue competing and enter the transfer portal.
The NCAA Division I cabinet responded on X that it does not intend to change course. Football season begins in one month.
