NCAA sues DeWine over Ohio athlete eligibility order

The NCAA filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on October 16, seeking to block his executive order giving state colleges discretion to let qualifying athletes from the high-school class of 2022 compete for a fifth season in 2026-27. DeWine signed the order, Executive Order 2026-04D, on October 13. It challenges NCAA eligibility rules that exclude athletes who graduated in 2022 and have already played four seasons from a new five-year eligibility model. The order allows Ohio public and private colleges and universities to decide whether qualifying athletes may compete; it does not guarantee anyone eligibility or a roster spot. The NCAA’s complaint argues that the order oversteps the governor’s authority and would give Ohio institutions a competitive advantage over schools elsewhere. The filing also invokes the First Amendment and the Commerce Clause, according to the complaint. NCAA President Charlie Baker has argued that a governor cannot set eligibility rules for the national organization and said the lawsuit seeks to protect competitive fairness. Those are the NCAA’s claims; the court’s view has not been established. The dispute follows a series of legal...