NCAA Challenges Ohio Judge’s Eligibility Ruling

Judge’s Ties to Schools Raise Concerns

Judge Chris Wagner, who issued the injunction, graduated from Xavier and earned his law degree at Cincinnati. His wife currently serves as a dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, creating a potential conflict of interest. Five of the athletes named in the lawsuit have connections to either Cincinnati or Xavier, prompting scrutiny over whether the judge disclosed these relationships. The NCAA argues that the court’s apparent ties to a school seeking an ineligible player were not revealed to the parties involved.

Injunction Grants Athletes an Extra Year of Play

The ruling allows 15 athletes to receive an additional year of eligibility, letting them compete in the 2026‑27 season. It also permits the players to transfer immediately, even though the NCAA transfer portal is currently closed. The injunction effectively overturns the NCAA’s newly adopted age‑based, five‑year eligibility policy for this group. The athletes will now stay in college longer than the new rules would normally permit.

Legal Battle Over Age‑Based Eligibility Policy

The NCAA’s new model starts an athlete’s eligibility clock upon full‑time college enrollment or the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The lawsuit, filed in June after the policy was approved, claims the rule unfairly excludes players who graduated high school in 2022 and did not redshirt. Plaintiffs argue that the NCAA plans to codify the five‑year competition limit while intentionally sidelining current seniors who entered college before the change. The judge’s preliminary injunction suspends the policy for these 15 individuals while the case proceeds.

Key Players Affected by the Decision

Among the beneficiaries are Cincinnati guard MJ Collins and Xavier forward Filip Borovicanin, both eligible for the 2026‑27 campaign. Other named athletes include Malik Messina‑Moore, Kolby King, Javon Bennett, Chevalier Emery Jr., Jalen Quinn, Savannah White, Donovan Brown, Christian Henry, Ziare Wells, Cristian Carroll, Shawn Phillips Jr., Caden Powell and Josh Reed. Each of these players gains an extra season and the freedom to transfer without waiting for the portal to reopen. Their cases highlight the broader tension between the NCAA’s policy goals and individual athlete rights.

NCAA’s Response and Future Actions

The NCAA released a statement confirming it is exploring legal options to reverse the injunction, citing undisclosed ties between the judge and a relevant school. Officials indicated they will pursue a stay of the court’s order pending an appeal. As of now, the organization has not filed a formal appeal, but the statement makes clear the intent to challenge the ruling. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how age‑based eligibility rules are enforced across college sports.