The NCAA tells athletes they need a 5-year plan​ 

On Fridays, the Brew’s Dave Lozo looks at a sports business story that says a lot more than just the final score of a game.

The NCAA announced a new rule that all but ends the phenomenon of athletes staying in college for so long that you’d think they were professors, not middle linebackers. Starting in the 2027–28 academic year, the sport’s governing body is limiting eligibility to five years and only allowing extra years in special circumstances, like pregnancy or military service. A student-athlete’s clock starts when they start school or the academic year after they turn 19—whichever comes first.

But hold on: A lawsuit contesting the rule has already been filed, and more are expected. Athletes who enrolled in 2022 who aren’t eligible for a fifth year say it’s unfair because they had to compete against much older players during their careers.

It’s also a money issue: The complaint argues that the rule unfairly impacts the ability of 2022 enrollees to earn name, image, and likeness (NIL) money. In some cases, college athletes can make seven figures from NIL deals.

Up next: A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to rule on a request for a preliminary injunction.