Ten student-athletes have filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court seeking a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. The student-athletes, including players from Northern Kentucky University, University of Louisville, and other schools, argue they are eligible under NCAA Bylaw 12.6.

NCAA’s ‘5 for 5’ rule

The NCAA adopted a new ‘5 for 5’ rule starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Under this model, student-athletes who start college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday will have up to five years of eligibility. However, the new set of rules does not apply to athletes who graduated high school in 2022.

Courts in several states have granted temporary injunctions for athletes in the class of 2022 to seek a fifth year if they choose to do so. The lawsuit filed in Jefferson County argues that the NCAA ‘violates the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and also violates the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act.’ The suit also cites the NCAA allowing former professional basketball players to return to college without losing a year of eligibility.

The 10 athletes behind the lawsuit are seeking a temporary injunction so they can sign scholarship and revenue sharing agreements with NCAA Division I schools, along with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. They are seeking injunctive relief so they can compete in the 2026-27 NCAA season.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.