SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has asked a judge to uphold NCAA rules that prevent athletes from returning to college competition after they have played professionally.
The issue focuses on the NCAA’s eligibility framework, which has long separated college athletics from professional participation. Sankey’s position supports keeping those rules in place, arguing against allowing former professionals to resume college playing careers.
Eligibility Rules Under Review
The request comes as college sports continue to face legal and structural challenges over athlete rights, eligibility and the boundaries between amateur and professional competition.
At stake is whether current NCAA rules restricting the return of professional athletes to college teams will remain enforceable. Sankey is seeking a ruling that preserves the existing standards governing who may compete at the college level.