Indiana appeals court turns down NCAA bid to pause ruling that keeps 97 athletes eligible

The NCAA's latest attempt to sideline a group of fifth-year college athletes came up short on Friday.

The Court of Appeals of Indiana denied the NCAA's emergency motion to stay a preliminary injunction issued by a Monroe County judge. That injunction lets 97 athletes from several schools and sports keep competing while the NCAA appeals. Chief Judge Elizabeth F. Tavitas wrote the order and the other judges agreed.

Who is in the case

The plaintiffs include Indiana football players Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt along with Indiana basketball player Sam Alexis. Kansas basketball forward Tre White and Kansas football players Chase Belcher and Clifton Thompson are also part of the case. Thompson made his debut for the Jayhawks last weekend against Utah.

Why the class of 2022 sued

All of the athletes entered college in 2022 and used up their eligibility during the 2025-26 school year. A new NCAA rule passed this summer gives athletes five years of eligibility but left the 2022 class out. That set off lawsuits around the country.

The NCAA has argued that letting these athletes play takes roster spots away from others. At Indiana no football or basketball players were removed to make room for the three Hoosiers.

What comes next

Denying a stay suggests the court does not believe the NCAA will suffer irreparable harm if the athletes play before it rules. The decision goes against a national trend in which many similar injunctions have been paused on appeal.

The NCAA could ask the Indiana Supreme Court to step in, though that court does not have to take the case. On Oct. 1 it already rejected an earlier NCAA attempt to skip the appeals court. For now every athlete in the case remains eligible.