NCAA Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Eligibility Rules
The NCAA has initiated a federal class-action lawsuit concerning its updated eligibility regulations, bringing college sports governing bodies back into legal contention.
In Colorado, a group of 11 student-athletes has filed a class action, claiming that these new rules have negatively impacted their chances of playing in college long-term and have complicated their NIL benefits. Notable plaintiffs include basketball players Cade Tyson from Minnesota and Brock Wien from Northern Colorado.
The lawsuit states, “The Plaintiffs are a talented group of NCAA Division I college athletes and students who have come to this court as a last resort due to the NCAA’s unlawful conduct on June 24, 2026. This was when they implemented a new eligibility rule—referred to as the ‘Five-Year Eligibility Rule’—designed to hinder Plaintiffs from participating in sports at NCAA member universities during the 2026-2027 season.”
“If the court does not provide immediate and permanent relief, Plaintiffs will endure substantial monetary damages. Essentially, they will not only lose their significant name, image, and likeness opportunities but also their chance to complete their collegiate careers alongside their teammates benefiting from this rule change. This NIL compensation hinges on them participating next season, and some might even lose scholarships and educational prospects they had hoped to pursue, despite the NCAA’s stated concern for student-athletes’ educational opportunities.”
According to the new rules, all college athletes can now have a maximum of five years of playing eligibility. However, this does not apply to those who utilized an extra year during the 2025-26 college season.
The NCAA has been encountering challenges with these new eligibility rules, alongside previous state-level lawsuits.
An Ohio judge recently ruled in favor of 24 college basketball players, both male and female, permitting them to resume playing in college and use the transfer portal. The judge noted that the NCAA’s recent system placed undue pressure on the players.
