Business & Finance
Big Ten schedules meeting on eligibility rules following NFL waived player's plan to join LSU
Conference officials consider response to a Louisiana court order allowing former college players who entered the pro ranks to return for a fifth season.
The short version
- Big Ten administrators scheduled a meeting to address eligibility rules after former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright announced plans to join LSU following his release by the Cleveland Browns.
- A Louisiana court order granted Wright and other players from the 2022 high school class an unexpected fifth year of eligibility, challenging an NCAA rule change finalized in June.
- The SEC publicly opposed permitting former professional players to return to college athletics and reiterated calls for federal legislation to regulate college sports.
Key facts
- Big Ten administrators set a meeting to discuss player eligibility rules and potentially vote on prohibiting former professional players from competing in the conference.[Associated Press]
- Agent Drew Rosenhaus stated that tight end Dae’Quan Wright intends to join LSU if he clears waivers after being released by the Cleveland Browns.[Associated Press]
- Wright obtained an additional year of eligibility through a lawsuit in a Louisiana court after a June NCAA rule change excluded athletes who graduated high school in 2022.[Associated Press]
- The SEC issued a statement expressing firm opposition to former professional athletes competing in college sports and called for congressional action.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed whether athletic directors or university presidents will participate in the Big Ten's vote on conference eligibility rules.[Associated Press]
- Wright's enrollment at LSU depends on whether he successfully clears NFL waivers.[Associated Press]