The NCAA filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike De Wine on Friday, three days after he signed an executive order allowing the state's universities to let athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 play a fifth year. The order defies the organization's new eligibility rules, which were passed in June and are already the subject of multiple court fights.
NCAA President Charlie Baker called the lawsuit an "extraordinary step" meant to stop De Wine from taking an action that would make it impossible for all schools to compete on a level playing field. Under the order, public and private universities in Ohio can allow the Class of '22 athletes to play, even though the NCAA's guidance excludes those who have already played four seasons.
The complaint argues the move gives Ohio institutions an unfair, unprecedented and unwarranted competitive advantage across the country. "College sports, like all sports, depend on participants following the rules," the filing states. "(De Wine) is attempting to give Ohio institutions a hall pass to break the rules."
The governor's action is part of a growing series of legal maneuvers creating new rules on a state-by-state basis. In response, the Ohio Supreme Court said it would step in to determine the legality of the executive order and paused an appeals court ruling that had declared the '22 athletes ineligible. Both sides must file briefs by next Monday in a case where basketball player Filip Borovićanin is the lead plaintiff. Baker said the NCAA does not believe the Supreme Court's order declares those players immediately eligible, and it will submit arguments by Monday.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing