Ohio Governor Issues Executive Order Challenging NCAA Fifth-Year Eligibility Rules

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Tuesday directing Ohio colleges and universities not to enforce NCAA rules that would prevent class of 2022 athletes from competing in a fifth season during the 2026-27 academic year. The NCAA's recent eligibility expansion covered only class of 2023 athletes and younger, leaving class of 2022 players without access to a fifth year. The executive order was issued on the same day oral arguments were heard in the federal antitrust case Wisne v. NCAA. Experts note that executive orders lack the legal force of enacted legislation, raising questions about enforceability. The NCAA is expected to continue defending its eligibility interpretation in federal court.