The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has filed a lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in federal court in Ohio. The lawsuit is the latest development in a dispute over a new NCAA eligibility rule that excludes athletes who have already played four college seasons. DeWine had signed an executive order on Friday, giving state universities the option to allow athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth season.
The NCAA has accused DeWine of trying to give Ohio athletes "a hall pass" from following NCAA rules. In a statement, NCAA President Charlie Baker described the lawsuit as an "extraordinary step" intended to prevent DeWine from making it "impossible for all schools to compete on a level playing field." The NCAA has argued that the executive order would give Ohio colleges and universities an unfair competitive advantage.
The dispute over the eligibility rule has sparked a wave of legal maneuvering, with multiple court cases already underway. The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to determine the legality of DeWine's executive order, and has asked both sides to file briefs in the case by next Monday. The NCAA has also obtained a court ruling that allows it to block the implementation of the executive order.
The issue has significant implications for college athletes, particularly those who are currently facing uncertainty over their eligibility for the upcoming season. The NCAA has urged Congress to pass federal legislation that would curb lawsuits challenging its rules, which govern hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide. The Senate has sent the Protect College Sports Act to the House, but its fate remains uncertain in an election year.
The NCAA's lawsuit against DeWine is the latest in a series of high-profile disputes over college sports rules. The organization has a history of taking legal action to enforce its rules, including a successful case against a former Nevada governor in the 1990s.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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