NCAA scores ‘huge win’ in eligibility fight. What it means for college sports

In sports terms, Friday’s U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the NCAA was the equivalent of spiking the football, throwing down a gratuitous slam dunk or staring down a batter after a strikeout.Take your pick.The NCAA scored what one expert called a “huge win” Friday, Nov. 6, in the ongoing Wisne vs. NCAA case, which has centered on the association’s five-year eligibility clock and its implementation. The 10th Circuit Court “REVERSED” and “VACATED” a lower court ruling that favored the plaintiffs.More: NCAA was nearing a historic win in Congress. Then voters changed everythingIn a memo to its membership Friday afternoon obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the NCAA detailed what it views as the validation and potential ramifications of the ruling. It is unquestionably the association’s biggest legal victory yet in the eligibility cases stemming from the June implementation of a new “age-based eligibility model.”Under that model, current and future NCAA athletes effectively have five years to compete in up to five full seasons of college athletics. "Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reversed the district court’s order granting a preliminary injunction in Wisne v. NCAA and vacated the injunction in full," NCAA Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby wrote to membership. "The Tenth Circuit's decision is consistent with the approach taken by every federal court of appeals to consider the merits of preliminary injunctions involving NCAA eligibility rules. The decision also acknowledges the NCAA’s concern that retroactively changing eligibility rules can destabilize rosters and disrupt the settled expectations of student-athletes regarding roster spots and playing time. NCAA rules are adopted through a deliberative governance process involving member institutions, conferences and student-athlete representatives. "While we are appreciative of the Tenth Circuit’s decision, injunctions like the one entered by the district court have created chaos for the 2026-27 season. The NCAA membership’s decision about the implementation of the age-based eligibility rule was clear and unanimous. It is disappointing that a minority of schools continue to support efforts to flout rules they agreed to follow. The serial lawsuits and forum shopping by former student-athletes who repeatedly file suit in different jurisdictions in search of any judge willing to enter an injunction on a limited record is unacceptable. "The NCAA will continue to defend the membership's decision and the rules adopted through the Association's governance process. Although plaintiffs may seek additional review and certain proceedings remain pending before the district court, today's decision vacates the injunction in full and represents another appellate court's recognition that the extraordinary remedy of injunctive relief was unwarranted. It is well past time for schools, coaches and student-athletes to have certainty regarding the applicable eligibility framework and to continue the season in compliance with the rules adopted to ensure fair competition."Previously, on Aug. 21, the Tenth Circuit Court had granted a stay upon the NCAA's request in the Wisne case, headlined by former Northern Colorado basketball player Brock Wisne.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA scores ‘huge win’ in eligibility fight. What it means for college sports