In the latest back-and-forth between the NCAA and Colorado players seeking a fifth-year of eligibility, the NCAA scored a significant victory Friday. The NCAA had a stay request granted during an appeal, resulting in some class of 2022 athletes losing their federal fifth-season protection.
The Tenth Circuit announced its decision to grant the NCAA’s motion Friday.
BREAKING: The Tenth Circuit has GRANTED the NCAA’s stay request in Wisne v. NCAA.
Judge Sweeney’s nationwide injunction is now stayed pending appeal, meaning qualifying Class of 2022 athletes lose its federal fifth-season protection for now. pic.twitter.com/i3ASE2TmHi
The issue stems from a July 31 ruling by Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado, who granted an injunction that restored a year of eligibility for student-athletes from the high school class of 2022. That ruling opened the door for several athletes to explore returning to college now that they believed they had an extra year of eligibility.
The NCAA immediately expressed opposition to the move, going so far as to call it “egregiously wrong.” It also announced it would appeal the decision.
"We intend to appeal the Colorado order and will seek to restore the status quo as soon as possible to protect participation opportunities for the countless student-athletes who chose where to attend school based on the understanding that the rules adopted by the NCAA's member institutions would be applied as written," he added.”
That appeal resulted in Friday’s stay … though that stay won’t affect every single athlete from the class of 2022 looking to return to college for a fifth year. Individuals involved in a lawsuit in Louisiana can still return to college football next season, as they were granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday.
That’s likely the path forward for the athletes affected by Friday’s decision. They could now seek their own temporary restraining orders in order to return to college for the fifth season. Despite Friday’s stay, the issue is far from over.
This story will be updated.
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