NCAA Takes Legal Action Against Ohio Governor Over Eligibility Rule
WHO:
NY Post - NCAA President Charlie Baker
AP News - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
WHAT:
Fox News - The NCAA filed the lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine three days after he signed the executive order allowing state universities to permit athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth college season.
Fox News - The NCAA's lawsuit accuses DeWine of attempting to give Ohio athletes "a hall pass" from following NCAA rules.
Fox News - The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to determine the legality of DeWine's executive order and has paused an appeals court ruling that declared the 2022 athletes ineligible.
NY Post - The NCAA filed a lawsuit in federal court in Ohio against Governor Mike DeWine.
AP News - The lawsuit challenges an executive order that allows schools to ignore a new eligibility rule.
WHERE:
NY Post - The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Ohio.
WHY:
Fox News - The NCAA claims the executive order is a "misguided attempt" to provide Ohio colleges and universities with an "unfair, unprecedented and unwarranted competitive advantage."
NY Post - Charlie Baker described the lawsuit as an “extraordinary step” aimed at preventing the governor from making it “impossible for all schools to compete on a level playing field.”
HOW:
Fox News - The NCAA's lawsuit aims to halt the executive order, asserting that college sports depend on participants adhering to established rules.
(UPDATED October 17, 2026 03:58 UTC)
The NCAA has filed a lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine just three days after he signed an executive order allowing athletes who graduated high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth college season. The lawsuit claims that DeWine is trying to give these athletes "a hall pass" from NCAA rules, which the organization argues is a misguided attempt to provide an unfair competitive advantage to Ohio colleges and universities. In response, the Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of DeWine's order and has paused an appeals court ruling that deemed the 2022 athletes ineligible.
--
(UPDATED October 17, 2026 02:06 UTC)
The NCAA has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Ohio against Governor Mike DeWine, challenging an executive order that permits schools to bypass a new eligibility rule. NCAA President Charlie Baker called the lawsuit an “extraordinary step,” emphasizing its goal to ensure that all schools can compete fairly. This legal action highlights ongoing tensions between state policies and collegiate athletics governance.