In the aftermath of Wednesday's federal decision on transfer rules, the NCAA introduced a new layer of complexity, declaring on Thursday that student-athletes participating in games under the 14-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) risk forfeiting a full season of eligibility should the ruling be overturned.
To help its members navigate the implications of Wednesday's judgment, the NCAA released an informative document featuring eight key questions. The fourth query addressed the applicability of season of competition regulations to student-athletes competing during the 14-day TRO.
The document unequivocally states, "Yes. The 14-day TRO only enjoined Bylaw 14.5.5.1 and does not alter the season of competition legislation."
This contradicts an earlier report on Wednesday, quoting an NCAA representative who suggested that athletes would not lose a year of eligibility if the verdict is reversed.
The hearing for the restraining order is scheduled for December 27.
U.S. District Judge Preston Bailey granted the NCAA a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, permitting two-time transfers to play immediately. Underclassmen are allowed one transfer without a mandatory one-year sitting period, but a second transfer as an underclassman necessitates a waiver for immediate play. The NCAA has granted waivers selectively on a case-by-case basis.
Seven states, including West Virginia, filed a complaint asserting that the NCAA's waiver procedure violates federal antitrust law.
In response to Bailey's ruling, the NCAA issued a statement: "As a result of today's decision impacting Division I student-athletes, the Association will not enforce the year-in-residency requirement for multi-time transfers and will begin notifying member schools."
Athletes who had their waivers denied or were awaiting judgments were permitted to play on Wednesday night.
UNLV's Keylan Boone, a two-time transfer, made an immediate impact in his debut, scoring 10 points and grabbing six boards in a 79-64 victory over No. 8 Creighton.
While many schools exercised caution by keeping newly-eligible players on the bench, some, like Jalen Cook of LSU, who transferred from Tulane, were held out of games.
In a meeting with UTSA and McNeese, several potentially eligible players were rested, and Little Rock's Makhel Mitchell and Southern Miss' Andre Curbelo did not play.
