NCAA Age-Based Model Prompted Lawsuit by 15 Players

Fifteen Division I men’s and women’s basketball athletes—Xavier’s Filip Borovicanin, Cincinnati’s MJ Collins, Kolby King, Javon Bennett, Chevalier Emery Jr., Jalen Quinn, Savannah White, Donovan Brown, Christian Henry, Ziare Wells, Cristian Carroll, Shawn Phillips Jr., Caden Powell and Josh Reed—filed a suit in Hamilton County, Ohio, on June 12, 2024, seeking a temporary restraining order to play in 2026-27. The NCAA approved the age-based model in early June 2024; a final vote is slated for June 22-23, 2024, with the transition period beginning summer 2024. Over 50 players across five states have been recruited for parallel lawsuits.

Filip Borovicanin, MJ Collins file lawsuit against NCAA on age-based eligibility model

The NCAA’s age-based model gives athletes five years to play up to five seasons, starting at enrollment or after turning 19, and eliminates most redshirt and hardship waivers. It applies to 2027 recruits; current players may stay under the old system or switch after 2025-26. Plaintiffs say the injunction would let them sign scholarship, revenue-sharing and NIL agreements for a fifth season and argue the rule breaches Ohio’s covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The NCAA declined comment. The complaint notes the association previously granted an extra year of eligibility to athletes whose 2020 seasons were disrupted by COVID-19 and permits players to leave for professional leagues such as the G League. Athletes with eligibility after 2025-26 may choose the model that serves them. The final vote date is cited as June 22 or 23.

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The suit alleges the NCAA’s application “unfairly limits the number of games they can participate in during their ‘five-year eligibility window’” and “unjustifiably restrains their ability to earn money through use of their name, image, and likeness.”

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The NCAA has not commented, and the vote date remains uncertain.

Filip Borovicanin, MJ Collins file lawsuit against NCAA on age-based eligibility model

• “For the last four years, 2022 high school graduates have been competing against older, stronger, and more experienced players allowed five (and even six) seasons of competition due to a Covid-era waiver granted to all athletes graduating high school and enrolling in college between 2017 and 2020.” — Plaintiffs’ lawsuit

Filip Borovicanin, MJ Collins file lawsuit against NCAA on age-based eligibility model

• “The NCAA’s application of this bylaw to Plaintiffs unfairly limits the number of games they can participate in during their ‘five-year eligibility window’ and unjustifiably restrains their ability to earn money through use of their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) connected to their work as Division I athletes,” the complaint reads.” — Plaintiffs’ complaint

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

• “ Currently enrolled athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year will be allowed to apply the age-based model or continue with the previous eligibility rules, whichever is most beneficial to that individual.” — NCAA filing (as cited in lawsuit)

Filip Borovicanin, MJ Collins file lawsuit against NCAA on age-based eligibility model

• “To bolster its case, the complaint notes the NCAA offered an extra year of eligibility to players whose 2020 seasons were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it has allowed players to join professional basketball teams (such as the G League) and then return to college.” — Plaintiffs’ complaint

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The court will hear the temporary restraining order as the NCAA prepares its final vote. A decision could determine whether the 15 plaintiffs return to Division I rosters for 2026-27.

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model