Story perspectives

Judge Grants 2022 Grads Extra Season, NCAA to Appeal

8/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued an injunction Friday granting 2022 graduates a fifth season of eligibility in 2026-27.
The order covers players who never redshirted, lack pro contracts, and entered the portal before April, requiring them to rejoin their 2025 school.
NCAA chief legal officer Scott Bearby called the ruling “egregiously wrong,” prompting the NCAA to appeal.
The Senate will consider the Protect College Sports Act before its August 7 recess.

History

Historical Context

After the March 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, the NCAA granted a blanket eligibility waiver to roughly 15,000 Division I athletes, postponing scholarship deadlines to June 2021. In 2024 Judge Charlotte Sweeney ordered the NCAA to extend a fifth season to 2022 graduates who entered the transfer portal before April, reviving Senate HELP Committee debates on the Protect College Sports Act.

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Story summary

U.S. Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued an injunction Friday granting 2022 graduates a fifth season of eligibility in 2026-27.
The order covers players who never redshirted, lack pro contracts, and entered the portal before April, requiring them to rejoin their 2025 school.
NCAA chief legal officer Scott Bearby called the ruling “egregiously wrong,” prompting the NCAA to appeal.
The Senate will consider the Protect College Sports Act before its August 7 recess.

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