SEC Commissioner Issues Memo on Fifth-Year Eligibility Rulings

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey sent a memo to league members on Tuesday outlining how schools should handle recent court decisions that allow certain student-athletes a fifth season of eligibility. The memo, first reported by CBS Sports, stresses that schools must continue to follow existing NCAA rules, interpretations, and SEC regulations until any formal changes are announced. Sankey instructed each institution’s compliance office to coordinate with SEC staff before committing to a player’s eligibility status.

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The memo follows a flurry of litigation, including a temporary injunction granted by a Tennessee chancery court on July 31 that protected the eligibility of a former Vanderbilt player and 18 teammates. Hours later, a federal judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction extending a fifth-year eligibility right to athletes who graduated high school in 2022. The NCAA has appealed that Colorado injunction, arguing the order exceeds the scope of the court’s authority.

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He also noted that “Recent court rulings should not be interpreted as creating broader eligibility relief beyond the scope of the applicable orders.” The NCAA’s appeal signals that the organization intends to maintain its current eligibility framework pending further judicial review.

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• “Recent court rulings should not be interpreted as creating broader eligibility relief beyond the scope of the applicable orders,” — Greg Sankey, extended reactions commissioner

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The NCAA’s appeal will be heard in the coming weeks, and SEC schools are expected to await the outcome before making any eligibility commitments. In the interim, Tennessee announced the signing of forward Jalen Washington in August, illustrating how programs are proceeding cautiously amid the evolving legal environment.

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