Story perspectives

NCAA Sues Ohio Over DeWine Fifth-Year Eligibility Rule

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 2:25 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The National Collegiate Athletic Association filed a lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
The NCAA argues DeWine’s order gives Ohio schools an unfair competitive advantage.
DeWine’s order allows 2022 graduates a fifth season, contrary to the NCAA’s eligibility rule.
The Ohio Supreme Court paused an appeals-court ruling and ordered briefs on the order’s legality by next Monday.

History

Historical Context

The COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020 forced the NCAA to cancel championships and, in October 2020, President Mark Emmert announced an extra year of eligibility for student-athletes, covering about 480,000 participants. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s 2023 order extending that waiver to 2022 graduates echoes the pandemic relief, and the NCAA’s lawsuit threatens a split between national and state eligibility rules.

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Story summary

The National Collegiate Athletic Association filed a lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
The NCAA argues DeWine’s order gives Ohio schools an unfair competitive advantage.
DeWine’s order allows 2022 graduates a fifth season, contrary to the NCAA’s eligibility rule.
The Ohio Supreme Court paused an appeals-court ruling and ordered briefs on the order’s legality by next Monday.

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