Greg Sankey: SEC eligibility rules remain in place amid NCAA lawsuits, court rulings
· Yahoo Sports
Amid lawsuits regarding NCAA eligibility rules, particularly the new age-based model, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reaffirmed the conference’s rules remain in place. He also noted the league is monitoring the landscape.
Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney ruled members from the Class of 2022 can get another year of eligibility after the NCAA did not retroactively apply the age-based rule for that group. In a new statement Tuesday, the association doubled down on that stance and said it has no plans to do so. The decision is pending appeal after the judge denied the NCAA’s request for a stay of the injunction pending appeal.
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As a result, a wave of athletes are now exploring a potential return to college athletics, though the ruling does not enjoin transfer portal rules or those related to roster limits under the House settlement. In a message to SEC members Tuesday, Sankey made clear schools should be careful of “assumptions” while exploring potential roster additions.
“Court filings and rulings related to the current NCAA eligibility landscape remain highly dynamic,” Sankey wrote, via CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. “As these various court proceedings continue, institutions should operate under existing NCAA rules, interpretations, and applicable Conference rules unless and until otherwise advised by the NCAA, the Conference, or a court order. Recent court rulings should not be interpreted as creating broader eligibility relief beyond the scope of the applicable orders.
“In addition, SEC eligibility rules, including those relating to intraconference transfers, remain in effect until fully or individually waived, or the rule is changed. If your institution is presented with a fact-specific eligibility question, please coordinate with your compliance office and Conference staff before acting or making commitments based on an assumption regarding an individual’s eligibility.”
A slew of athletes across multiple sports are either integrating back into their respective programs or are exploring a potential return. Notably, in the Big Ten, two key Indiana football players – Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt – are going through that process in light of the court ruling. Athletes in basketball are also considering whether they want to come back.
Greg Sankey: SEC ‘actively evaluating these issues’
It’s important to note Sweeney’s ruling is still pending appeal, though the injunction remains in place after Monday’s order. As the landscape continues to shift, Greg Sankey said the SEC is keeping close tabs on what lies ahead. From there, the league will give more details, if necessary.
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“We are actively evaluating these issues and monitoring developments, including ongoing court proceedings and any appeals,” Sankey said. “We will provide additional information as circumstances warrant.”
After Sweeney’s ruling Monday, members of the Class of 2022 also have an Aug. 14 deadline to file a response to the emergency motion, and the NCAA’s reply brief is due no later than Aug. 17. The injunction remains in effect.