NCAA Rejects Deion Sanders’ Joint Spring Game Proposal, Promises Rule Review

The NCAA denied a waiver for Colorado and Syracuse to hold a joint spring football game but committed to revisiting the rule in future discussions.

The NCAA Division I FBS oversight committee denied the waiver request for a joint spring game between Colorado and Syracuse, citing competitive and academic concerns.
Current NCAA rules prohibit teams from scrimmaging or practicing against each other during the spring season.
Deion Sanders proposed the idea to modernize spring football and increase fan engagement by mimicking professional football practices.
The oversight committee acknowledged the need to review the rule and agreed to discuss potential changes for future seasons during upcoming meetings.
Critics questioned whether the profiles of the schools involved influenced the decision, suggesting larger programs might have been treated differently.