Key facts
- Lawsuit filed
- Amended lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Tennessee’s Eastern District
- NCAA's new rule
- Five seasons of competition over a five-year period starting with enrollment or the academic year after 19th birthday
- Zeigler's class
- 2021 class, first limited to four years in NIL era
- NIL valuation
- $2 million to $4 million for a fifth season (Spyre Sports Group)
- Damages sought
- Triple the NIL range, potentially up to $12 million
- Zeigler's status
- Not selected in 2025 NBA draft; played in France, preparing to play in Germany
Background
Lawyers for former Tennessee basketball player Zakai Zeigler filed an amended lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Tennessee’s Eastern District, using the NCAA’s recent sweeping changes to its eligibility rules to bolster their case challenging the association’s previous policy of limiting athletes to four seasons in five years.
For years, the NCAA allowed athletes five years to complete four years of competition. It now will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with an athlete’s full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.
The amended lawsuit cites the new age-based eligibility rules adopted in June as “compelling evidence” that the NCAA had “substantially less restrictive alternatives” available. “In adopting it, the NCAA abandoned the very restraints it long maintained were essential, replacing them with a five-year competition model it had previously opposed,” according to the amended lawsuit, which was first reported by Knox News.
Current situation
The NCAA did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press on Tuesday night. In July, the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors backed the new rules despite numerous eligibility lawsuits across the country.
Lawyers for the NCAA are seeking to consolidate eligibility lawsuits, including Zeigler’s, in Tennessee’s Middle District, where other lawsuits are pending.
Zeigler dropped his bid for a fifth season of basketball on July 1, 2025. His lawsuit continued, and this amended filing notes Zeigler was part of the 2021 class entering college, which was the first in the era of name, image and likeness payments to be limited to four years. NCAA athletes who started from 2016 through 2020 got an extra year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| NIL range for fifth season | $2 million to $4 million |
| Damages sought (triple) | Potentially up to $12 million |
Impacts
Playing a fifth season would’ve allowed Zeigler to earn much more than his “current earning potential,” according to the lawsuit. Zeigler was not selected during the 2025 NBA draft. He played in France last season and is preparing to play in Germany this season.
The amended filing notes the Spyre Sports Group collective associated with the University of Tennessee valued Zeigler’s NIL range from $2 million to $4 million for a fifth season. The lawsuit asks for triple that amount in damages, which could be potentially as much as $12 million.
If Zeigler succeeds, it could affect other athletes in similar situations, potentially prompting the NCAA to reconsider its eligibility policies or face further legal challenges. The outcome remains uncertain.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the court rules in Zeigler’s favor, he could receive damages up to $12 million, and the NCAA might be forced to adjust its eligibility rules for past classes. However, if the NCAA successfully consolidates the lawsuits, the case could be delayed or resolved differently.
The NCAA’s new five-season model may reduce future eligibility disputes, but Zeigler’s case focuses on past harm. Depending on the court’s interpretation, the new rules could be seen as evidence that the old policy was unnecessarily restrictive, potentially strengthening Zeigler’s claim.
The legal process may take months or years, and the final outcome remains unclear. If the NCAA settles, it could set a precedent for other athletes seeking damages for lost earning opportunities.
Source: winnipegfreepress.com
