Ohio Governor Issues Executive Order Overriding NCAA Eligibility

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has issued an executive order declaring that student-athletes from the Class of 2022 are eligible to compete in the 2026-27 academic year at Ohio universities, provided they have not played professionally, as Sports Illustrated first reported. According to Sports Illustrated, the order directs all state institutions of higher education and private colleges in Ohio to ignore any rules or standards—including NCAA eligibility bylaws—that would prevent these athletes from participating.

The order follows a ruling from the Ohio Court of Appeals that denied appeals from players seeking to regain eligibility against the NCAA. Governor DeWine stated that the NCAA's current interpretation of its manual unfairly impacts the Class of 2022 and that Ohio athletes deserve to be treated equitably compared to those in other states where trial courts have already permitted fifth-year competition. DeWine also noted that the U.S. Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act, which would make this class eligible, though the bill has not yet passed the U.S. House.

The decision directly impacts MJ Collins, a 6-foot-4 scoring wing for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Sports Illustrated reports that Collins has fluctuated between eligible and ineligible status throughout the summer and fall; while he played in August exhibitions in the Bahamas, he was barred from the CareSource Invitational last week.

As reported by Sports Illustrated, the enforceability of the executive order remains in question. The order was released the same day as oral arguments in the 10th Circuit regarding the NCAA's federal eligibility case, known as Wisne.