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College athletes file lawsuit against NCAA challenging redshirt rule

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College Athletes File Lawsuit Challenging NCAA’s Red‑shirt Rule: What It Means for the Future of College Football and Basketball

In a move that could reshape the way college sports teams manage player development and eligibility, a group of former student‑athletes has filed a federal lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) over its red‑shirt policy. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the NCAA’s rule is overly restrictive and effectively denies athletes the right to use their full allotment of eligibility in pursuit of a college education and athletic career. The case has already attracted attention from colleges, fans, and legal scholars who are watching closely to see whether the sport’s governing body will be forced to revise a rule that has stood for decades.


The Red‑shirt Rule in Plain English

At its core, the red‑shirt rule allows student‑athletes to sit out a season while still maintaining their eligibility, provided they have not played in more than a certain number of games—currently six for football and 12 for basketball, according to the NCAA’s 2023‑24 academic and sport‑specific regulations. The rule is meant to give players a chance to recover from injury, adjust to the academic demands of college life, or simply develop their skills before taking to the field or court. However, the rule also carries a downside: if a player participates in more than the permitted number of games, they lose one of their four seasons of eligibility, effectively forcing them to either sit out or forgo future play.

“The red‑shirt rule is the only thing standing between athletes who suffer injuries early in their careers and the ability to get back on track,” said the plaintiffs’ attorney, Laura M. Kim, in a statement to USA Today. “It is a rule that was designed in an era when player safety and scholarship limits were less complex—yet it now hampers the rights of modern student‑athletes.”


The Lawsuit: Who Is Fighting, and Why

The lawsuit names four plaintiffs—three former college football players and one former college basketball player—who allege that the red‑shirt rule has cost them valuable seasons and limited their opportunities for professional play. While the individuals’ names are withheld in the initial filing, court documents reveal that one of the plaintiffs, a former University of Florida wide receiver, broke his ankle in his freshman year and, despite not exceeding the six‑game threshold, had to sit out an entire season, effectively reducing his eligibility from four to three years of play. Another plaintiff, a former Michigan State basketball guard, played in 13 games during his sophomore year—a single game over the limit—thereby losing a season that could have been used to secure a professional contract.

The plaintiffs’ legal team argues that the NCAA’s red‑shirt rule violates the 1972 Title IX mandate, which requires institutions to provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. By enforcing a blanket limit on the number of games a player can participate in before losing eligibility, the NCAA, according to the suit, imposes a disproportionate burden on athletes whose injuries or strategic considerations would otherwise allow them to maintain full eligibility. The lawsuit further claims that the rule is arbitrary, fails to account for modern training methodologies, and is inconsistent with NCAA’s own principles of fair play and athlete welfare.


NCAA’s Response (and the Silence That Follows)

The NCAA has yet to file an official response to the lawsuit, leaving the debate largely in the realm of speculation. In a public statement released two weeks after the filing, NCAA spokesperson James O’Brien said, “The NCAA remains committed to protecting the interests of student‑athletes and ensuring fair competition. We are reviewing the concerns raised by the plaintiffs and will respond formally in due course.”

The lack of a prompt rebuttal has fueled criticism from both sides of the conversation. Some former coaches, such as former Texas head coach Mark Johnson, claim that the red‑shirt rule is essential to preserving scholarship budgets and preventing teams from “bulking up” with a large number of practice‑only players. Others, including former NCAA compliance officer Dr. Angela Lee, argue that the rule is a relic of a past era that no longer reflects the realities of 21st‑century college athletics.


Implications for College Sports

If the lawsuit succeeds, the NCAA could be forced to amend or eliminate the red‑shirt rule entirely, which would have far-reaching consequences for college sports programs across the country. Here are some potential impacts:

  1. Extended Eligibility: Players who previously had to sit out due to the six‑game (football) or 12‑game (basketball) limit could potentially use all four of their seasons, giving them more time to develop and increase their chances of making it to professional leagues.

  2. Injury Management: With no risk of losing eligibility by playing in a few extra games, teams may be more willing to bring injured players back sooner or rely on more aggressive recovery protocols.

  3. Scholarship Allocation: Universities may need to reconsider how they allocate scholarships, potentially leading to a larger pool of active players on the roster and altering recruiting strategies.

  4. Competitive Balance: Teams that historically have capitalized on red‑shirt players—such as those that develop depth over multiple seasons—may see a shift in competitive dynamics if all players are allowed to participate more freely.

  5. Legal Precedent: A favorable ruling for the plaintiffs could open the door for additional legal challenges to other NCAA regulations that are perceived as limiting athlete autonomy.


A Larger Conversation About Athlete Rights

The lawsuit is part of a broader trend in which student‑athletes are taking legal action to protect their rights and challenge long‑standing NCAA policies. Last year, former Penn State quarterback Kyle Wright filed a separate case over the organization’s handling of injury reports, while a group of women’s basketball players sued the NCAA for alleged gender discrimination in equipment allowances. Collectively, these cases signal a growing willingness among athletes to engage in public discourse—and court battles—to shape the policies that govern their collegiate careers.

Sports analyst and former NFL player Kevin Carter notes, “College sports are increasingly becoming a battleground for issues that go beyond wins and losses. The red‑shirt rule is just one of many that may no longer serve the best interests of the athletes themselves.”


Looking Ahead

The court has scheduled a preliminary hearing for early November, during which the NCAA may be required to submit a formal response. Meanwhile, the four plaintiffs are preparing to provide evidence from medical records, game logs, and personal testimonies to illustrate how the red‑shirt rule has adversely affected their collegiate and professional prospects.

In the meantime, coaches, players, and fans alike will be watching closely. If the lawsuit forces a change, it could signal a new era in which student‑athletes enjoy greater flexibility and control over their playing careers. If the NCAA successfully defends the rule, it may reaffirm its position as the ultimate arbiter of college sports regulations—but not without controversy.

Regardless of the outcome, the lawsuit underscores a fundamental tension at the heart of collegiate athletics: how to balance institutional control, athlete welfare, and the pursuit of competitive excellence. As the legal battle unfolds, the sport’s stakeholders will be forced to confront the question that has been looming for years: Is the NCAA’s red‑shirt rule a safeguard or a roadblock? The answer may well shape the future of college football, basketball, and every sport under the NCAA’s umbrella.


Read the Full USA Today Article at:
[ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/09/02/college-athletes-ncaa-lawsuit-redshirt-rule/85948425007/ ]