NCAA loses bid to block Missouri football player from competing

On the eve of the Tigers' season opener, a judge declared Sterling Webb eligible despite new NCAA rules targeting members of the high school graduating class of 2022.CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) — A St. Louis County judge on Wednesday handed the University of Missouri football team its first unofficial win of the season, before a single down has been played, by granting a temporary restraining order allowing Sterling Webb to play for the Tigers.Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo made the ruling following a hearing Wednesday morning. Missouri, ranked No. 25 in the country, has its season opener Thursday night at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.The two-page order prohibits the school from interfering in any way with his participation in the football program, “provided Webb remains otherwise academically and athletically eligible.” That includes interfering with any revenue generated from name, image and likeness compensation.At issue is a new NCAA rule, unanimously voted into effect in June, which scraps the old limit of four seasons of competition within a five-year period. College athletes are now given five years to compete beginning either when they are fully enrolled in college or the academic year after their 19th birthday.The rule also contains a transition condition, which strips fifth-year eligibility for colleges athletes who have already completed a fourth season of competition before the model takes effect, without a “redshirt year” in reserve.Webb says he qualifies for a fifth year according to everything in the rule except for the transition condition. The defensive lineman claims the transition condition unfairly targets the high school class of 2022, which already faced an uphill battle due to eligibility exceptions with the Covid-19 pandemic.Webb sued the NCAA on July 28, challenging the governing body’s new eligibility requirement. He said in his lawsuit he’s asking for nothing more than what the NCAA’s “own rules now promise every college athlete: five seasons of competition in five years.”Ribaudo agreed, granting a temporary restraining order two days later allowing Webb to join the team, but the TRO was contingent on the result of a class action filed in Colorado raising nearly identical arguments. On Aug. 21, the 10th Circuit found in favor of the NCAA in that class action and reinstated the rule.The federal appeals court’s decision did not directly affect cases in state courts such as Webb’s.After the ruling, Webb filed an amended petition adding the Curators of the University of Missouri and University of Missouri, Columbia as defendants and asking for an injunction prohibiting the school from declaring him ineligible.The NCAA responded by filing a motion to dismiss the petition citing lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim.Webb played in all 13 games last season for the Tigers and recorded 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 23 total pressures. In the offseason, he participated in the Buffalo Bills’ rookie minicamp, but did not sign with the team after going undrafted in April.The St. Louis native claims he has a roster spot as well as endorsement and revenue-sharing money available upon his return.Neither side immediately responded to a request for comment.Webb’s lawsuit is one of dozens across the country as the NCAA football season kicks off this week. On Wednesday morning, The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame released a statement in favor of the NCAA.“Once a student-athlete has declared their intent, exhausted their eligibility or signed a professional contract, their college eligibility should be over,” the organization said. “College football should not and cannot become a fallback for players whose professional aspirations did not work out.”Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads