Vols’ Zeigler suing NCAA for college student season

Might 20, 2025, 06:06 PM ET Two-time Southeastern Conference men’s basketball defensive player of the year Zakai Zeigler is taking legal action against the NCAA over rules restricting him to four seasons in a five-year window as an unlawful restraint of trade under both federal and Tennessee laws.Zeigler’s lawsuit

was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The point guard played 4 seasons at Tennessee, assisting the Volunteers to successive Elite 8 berths before finishing earlier this month.The Vols went 109-36 throughout Zeigler’s time with the school.

Zeigler was a third-team All-American this season, which ended with Tennessee’s loss to ultimate nationwide runner-up Houston in the Elite Eight on March 30.” We have asked for an initial injunction to permit Zakai to complete in the upcoming season while pursuing his graduate research studies,” according to a statement from the Garza Law Office and Litson PLLC.”We eagerly anticipate a speedy resolution of this matter so that Zakai can begin preparing for next season.” Editor’s Picks 1 Associated The NCAA said in a declaration the association fully supports professional athletes profiting from name, image and likeness along with other advantages and is working

for such reforms, that includes a proposed$ 2.8 billion settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.”A patchwork of different state laws, executive orders and court opinions, make it challenging for any league to run on a fair playing field, including at the conference level and that’s why partnering with Congress to develop a national requirement would provide stability for student-athletes and schools all over, “the NCAA said.This newest suit against the NCAA notes Zeigler”vigilantly completed his undergraduate degree in 4 years”and finished this month. That makes Zeigler’s lawsuit various from professional athletes who began careers at junior colleges or lower-division NCAA schools and are looking for a 5th season.Yet the NCAA rule limiting athletes to four seasons during a five-year window keeps Zeigler from playing a fifth season and earning NIL cash in”the most financially rewarding year of the eligibility window for the large bulk of professional athletes,

“according to the lawsuit.Athletes who redshirt or take 5 years to finish an undergraduate degree can earn NIL cash each of their five years. The lawsuit likewise points to the NCAA’s redshirt system managing who gets access to a 5th year of eligibility.The claim asks that the NCAA guideline be stated a violation of Area 1 of the Sherman Act and Tennessee’s Trade Practices Act.