Class of 2022 Athletes Get 5th Season Eligibility

The ruling by Colorado-based Judge Charlotte Sweeney undercuts the NCAA's Age-Based Eligibility Model, which was scheduled to start with athletes enrolling in college in fall 2027. While the NCAA builds its appeal, the transfer portal will be opened in college basketball from August 3-10 for newly eligible athletes. forestarrow.help

Sweeney stated that the players "will suffer irreparable harm without" the injunction, dismissing the NCAA's argument that applying the rule retroactively would create roster chaos. NCAA President Charlie Baker countered that the ruling would indeed cause chaos and referenced a congressional bill designed to provide the NCAA antitrust protection on eligibility issues. The Colorado ruling applies to all Division I athletes who began their college careers in the 2022-23 season, unlike a previous Tennessee decision that applied only to 19 basketball players.