Ohio Governor Defies NCAA With Eligibility Order for Class of 2022 Athletes

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed an government order Tuesday permitting the state’s schools and universities to grant a fifth yr of eligibility to athletes who graduated highschool in 2022, placing Ohio in direct battle with the NCAA.

The order bars any Ohio establishment from imposing any rule that may stop a class-of-2022 student-athlete from totally collaborating within the 2026–27 educational yr.

The NCAA responded instantly. President Charlie Baker wrote to member faculties that DeWine “cannot legislate NCAA eligibility rules,” warning that “one elected official seeking to make their own rules for their own schools’ advantage is a terrible way to run athletic competitions.”

The transfer is the most recent in a rising multi-state, multi-courtroom battle over school athlete eligibility.