Class of 2022 athletes set to receive fifth year of NCAA eligibility after judge grants injunction

Key Points:

• A U.S. District Court judge in Colorado granted a preliminary injunction allowing college athletes from the high school Class of 2022 an additional year of eligibility for the upcoming school year, challenging the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule.
• The NCAA, through President Charlie Baker, responded by urging Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, warning that without federal intervention, college sports will face regulatory chaos and athletes may be exploited.
• Similar injunctions have been granted in other states, including Tennessee and Texas, with multiple lawsuits filed by athletes seeking to regain eligibility lost under the NCAA’s revised rules, which eliminated many waiver exceptions.
• The ruling creates uncertainty for college basketball programs, many of which have already set rosters and budgets assuming Class of 2022 players would be ineligible, complicating decisions on scholarships, roster spots, and player recruitment.
• Some programs like Gonzaga, Texas Tech, and LSU may benefit from the ruling due to roster needs, while notable players like former Minnesota star Cade Tyson could become highly sought-after if the injunction holds through the 2026-27 season.