I’Ashea Myles, a chancellor in Davidson County, issued a ruling that granted Jalen Washington and 18 other athletes a fifth season of eligibility, directly challenging the NCAA’s existing rules. The 33-page decision ensures these athletes can compete in the 2026–2027 season and prevents the NCAA from blocking their participation in the transfer portal. The ruling specifically requires the NCAA to recognize the athletes' eligibility and prohibit any interference in their recruitment or transfer activities.
Colorado judge also rules in favor of athletes
Several hours after Myles issued her ruling, U.S. Sweeney in Colorado granted a preliminary injunction, giving 12 additional athletes a fifth season of eligibility. Among those listed in the Colorado case was Cade Tyson, a former basketball player from Minnesota. Sweeney clarified that her decision would apply to the entire class of 2022 high school graduates who are experiencing similar situations. Her judgment expands the reach of the court's influence beyond the named plaintiffs, offering broader protections to eligible athletes. The NCAA has announced it will appeal the Colorado ruling, arguing that it undermines its Age-Based Eligibility Model, which aims to start with athletes enrolling in fall 2027. Sweeney’s decision could open the door for undrafted players in NFL or NBA training camps to return to college for a fifth year.
NCAA calls for new legislation to stop 'chaos'
NCAA President Charlie Baker responded to the rulings by emphasizing the need to push for the Protect College Sports Act. He described the court orders as further evidence of instability in college sports and argued that the situation demands urgent legislative action. Baker warned that the NCAA is being exploited by unproven professionals and expressed concerns that future college scholarships could be jeopardized if reforms are not enacted. Baker stated that the rulings and the resulting chaos justify the need to pass the congressional bill, which aims to provide the NCAA with antitrust protection on eligibility issues.
The NCAA had already announced in June a new eligibility model for Division I athletes, allowing five seasons of competition within a five-year timeframe starting from the student’s first full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. However, the recent court orders now place pressure on the NCAA to reevaluate how it enforces its rules, particularly with regard to the athletes' rights and the organization's responsibility to uphold fairness.
More athletes benefit from the decisions
Jalen Washington, who played last season at Vanderbilt, led the complaint filed by the Texas Trial Group on July 6. Other athletes involved in the case included Chendall Weaver, who most recently played for Texas; A.J. The Texas Trial Group expressed its support for the court’s decision, stating that “Justice” had been served, and shared a screenshot of the order on social media. In addition to Washington, athletes such as Donovan Dent, Cade Tyson, Xaivian Lee, and others have entered the transfer portal, hoping the rulings remain intact.
Myles highlighted in her ruling that the NCAA had not uniformly applied its challenged eligibility rules to similarly situated student-athletes. She pointed out a specific pattern in which the organization had extended years of eligibility to certain groups of players. For example, she noted a waiver for the 2025-26 season that benefited athletes who had played at least one season at a junior college or NAIA school. Myles also observed that the plaintiffs had competed against players who had received such waivers or attended junior colleges, which further emphasized the inconsistencies in the NCAA’s approach.
This ruling could shift the balance of power in college sports by making it harder for the NCAA to restrict transfers or impose penalties on athletes based on eligibility issues.
Chancellor orders portal opening
In addition to the eligibility ruling, Myles also ordered that the transfer portal remain open from noon on Monday until 8 a.m. on August 10. This timeline allowed athletes time to enter the portal and for colleges to reach out to recruits. The portal plays a key role in the transfer process, enabling athletes to connect with potential new schools and making the college sports ecosystem more dynamic. In Colorado, the transfer portal will be open from August 3 to August 10 for newly eligible athletes.
As the legal battles continue, the NCAA faces growing scrutiny over the fairness of its policies and their impact on student-athletes. The recent court decisions may set important precedents that could reshape the landscape of college sports in the near future.