• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Seven State AGs Sue NCAA Over Transfer Eligibility Rule

  • The NCAA’s one-time transfer reform didn’t go far enough for seven state attorneys general.
  • The AGs are suing the NCAA over its rule that athletes have to sit out if they want to transfer more than once.
College World Series TCU vs Virginia 2023
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Two years ago, the NCAA implemented a one-time transfer rule, allowing athletes in sports such as football to switch schools at least once without sitting out. 

But the NCAA’s reform didn’t go far enough for seven state attorneys general.

On Thursday, seven AGs sued the NCAA over its remaining transfer eligibility restriction: that athletes who transfer a second time during their college careers are forced to sit out one academic year. 

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, described the transfer eligibility rule as “an unreasonable restraint of trade.”

The lawsuit comes in the aftermath of the NCAA’s denial of a waiver for RaeQuan Battle, a men’s basketball player who transferred to the University of West Virginia. Battle started his collegiate career at the University of Washington and was at Montana State before transferring to West Virginia. 

“The lawsuit against the NCAA isn’t just about RaeQuan Battle — it’s about all of the athletes victimized by a brutally unfair and arbitrary policy which we allege is violative of antitrust law,” West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Our lawsuit brings together a strong state coalition—reflecting diverse states across the nation.”

Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee are the other co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit that seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent the NCAA from enforcing the transfer eligibility rule. 

“[The] NCAA and … its member institutions have entered an illegal agreement to restrain and suppress competition in the relevant markets through the adoption and enforcement of the Transfer Eligibility Rule,” the lawsuit states. “Specifically, the NCAA and NCAA member institutions have agreed to unlawfully restrain the ability of Division I college athletes to transfer to other Division I schools without loss of athletic eligibility.”

The lawsuit is diametrically opposed to some proposed federal legislation that would actually further restrict transfer rules. Many coaches have lamented the combination of NIL deals and loosened transfer restrictions, which they claim has created an “unrestricted free agency” system in college football and basketball. 

“The NCAA is disappointed in the decision by seven state attorneys general to bring legal action – with the tacit support of a small number of schools – the result of which could potentially mean team rosters changing monthly or weekly,” an NCAA spokesperson said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “The NCAA believes that if a member school objects to a rule or policy, that member should propose alternative rules that apply to everyone, not turn to lawsuits to bypass the system they designed.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive
September 9, 2025

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.