Ohio Governor Eases NCAA Rules for Student-athlete Eligibility

WHO:

Fox News - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the executive order.

Fox News - NCAA President Charlie Baker responded to the executive order.

Fox News - Ryan Downtown, an attorney representing a group of athletes, commented on the order.

WHAT:

Fox News - DeWine's executive order allows Ohio colleges and universities to permit athletes who graduated high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth season.

ABC News - The executive order enables the state's colleges to let athletes play a fifth year of eligibility.

Fox News - The NCAA's eligibility rule excludes athletes who have already played four seasons from receiving another year of eligibility.

WHERE:

Fox News - The executive order applies to colleges and universities in Ohio.

Fox News - The Ohio State University is mentioned as a Division I program in Ohio.

WHEN:

Fox News - The executive order was signed on a Tuesday.

Fox News - A key eligibility case, Wisne v. NCAA, saw a new development on the same day the executive order was signed.

Fox News - The Ohio State football game against Minnesota took place on October 4, 2025.

WHY:

Fox News - DeWine stated, "When the rules change, fairness has to remain part of the equation," emphasizing the need for equitable opportunities for Ohio’s student-athletes.

Fox News - The executive order is a response to the NCAA's new eligibility rule, which is being challenged in multiple courtrooms across the country.

HOW:

Fox News - The executive order allows colleges to decide on the eligibility of athletes despite the NCAA's position.

Fox News - NCAA President Charlie Baker criticized the order, stating that DeWine "cannot legislate NCAA eligibility rules."

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 21:00 UTC)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order that allows colleges and universities in the state to permit athletes who graduated high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth season, despite the NCAA's eligibility rules that typically exclude those who have already played four seasons. NCAA President Charlie Baker responded critically, asserting that DeWine "cannot legislate NCAA eligibility rules," while attorney Ryan Downtown, representing a group of athletes, commented on the implications of the order. DeWine emphasized the importance of fairness, stating, "When the rules change, fairness has to remain part of the equation," as this executive order responds to the ongoing challenges against the NCAA's new eligibility rule.