NCAA scores major court win over five-year eligibility rule
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the NCAA in the Wisne vs. NCAA case, reversing and vacating a lower court ruling that had favored the plaintiffs regarding the NCAA's five-year eligibility clock.
- The ruling supports the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model, which allows athletes five years to compete in up to five full seasons of college sports, and is seen as the association's biggest legal victory in related eligibility disputes.
- NCAA Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby emphasized that the decision aligns with other federal appellate courts and addresses concerns about retroactively changing eligibility rules disrupting team rosters and student-athlete expectations.
- The NCAA criticized ongoing lawsuits by a minority of schools and former athletes as disruptive and forum shopping, reaffirming its commitment to defending eligibility rules adopted through a collective governance process.
- Despite potential further legal challenges, the ruling is expected to bring clarity and stability to eligibility rules for the 2026-27 season and beyond.
