Class of 2022 athletes set to receive fifth year of NCAA eligibility after judge grants injunction – The New York Times

CLASS OF 2022 ATHLETES EARN FIFTH YEAR OF NCAA ELIGIBILITY

In a significant development for college athletics, a federal judge has granted an injunction allowing the NCAA to reinstate eligibility for the Class of 2022 student-athletes who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling, which was announced on July 25, will enable these athletes to participate in sports for an additional year, effectively granting them a fifth year of eligibility.

The issue stems from the NCAA’s initial decision to grant an extra year of eligibility to student-athletes who had their 2020 spring season cancelled due to the pandemic. However, when the 2021-2022 season resumed, the NCAA’s Eligibility Center only allowed student-athletes who had been directly impacted by the pandemic to receive an additional year of eligibility. The Class of 2022, which had also been affected by the pandemic, was subsequently left without this option.

The injunction was granted by U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee, who ruled that the NCAA’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious.” The NCAA had previously argued that the eligibility center made a “reasonable decision” based on the circumstances. However, Judge Lee disagreed, stating that the NCAA’s decision “did not provide a clear and consistent standard” for determining eligibility.

The ruling will have significant implications for college athletics, particularly for student-athletes who were preparing for their final year of eligibility. Many of these athletes may have already begun to make plans for their post-graduate careers, and the additional year of eligibility will undoubtedly give them more time to achieve their goals.