The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine over an executive order challenging college sports eligibility rules. The dispute could affect players seeking a fifth season under the NCAA's new age-based eligibility system.

DeWine signed the order Tuesday, October 13, allowing Ohio colleges to disregard certain NCAA restrictions on class of 2022 athletes. College football insider Pete Nakos highlighted the executive order as another major development in college athletics.

Under the order, qualifying athletes could compete despite exhausting four seasons under previous NCAA regulations. However, they must satisfy academic requirements and cannot have participated in professional sports leagues.

The NCAA responded Friday, October 16, by filing its lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio. President Charlie Baker argued that allowing individual states to override eligibility rules threatens competitive fairness.

The organization seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, challenging the order on constitutional and state-law grounds.

Baker described the lawsuit as an “extraordinary step” intended to protect consistent eligibility standards nationwide.

Meanwhile, DeWine defended his decision as a matter of fairness for athletes affected by changing regulations. His administration maintains that Ohio students deserve opportunities comparable to those available elsewhere.

The dispute follows the NCAA's June decision to introduce a five-season eligibility model. However, its implementation excludes certain Class of 2022 athletes who already completed four seasons.

That distinction has triggered legal challenges involving players at multiple universities. One former Buckeyes kicker even filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over eligibility restrictions.

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Ohio's Supreme Court is also examining a related eligibility dispute involving basketball player Filip Borovicanin.

The outcome could influence how universities handle eligibility disputes and whether states can challenge NCAA regulations.

For now, the lawsuit leaves Ohio schools facing uncertainty over which athletes can compete.