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3mo ago

Tennessee Guard Zakai Zeigler Challenges NCAA Eligibility Rule in Federal Lawsuit

The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year seeks a fifth season, claiming the NCAA's eligibility cap violates antitrust laws and costs athletes lucrative NIL opportunities.

Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) shoots the ball against Wofford Terriers guard Corey Tripp (10) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Zakai Zeigler, a standout University of Tennessee point guard, has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA over its four-seasons-in-five-years eligibility rule.
  • The lawsuit argues the rule unlawfully restricts athlete labor markets and deprives players of significant NIL earnings, citing Zeigler’s projected $2–4 million valuation for the 2025–26 season.
  • Zeigler is seeking a preliminary injunction to play a fifth season while pursuing graduate studies, following his recent graduation with a bachelor’s degree in retail and merchandising management.
  • The NCAA maintains the rule aligns academics with athletics and preserves opportunities for incoming athletes, while also highlighting ongoing reform efforts and a proposed $2.8 billion antitrust settlement.
  • This case builds on recent legal challenges to NCAA eligibility rules, with potential implications for the future of athlete compensation and governance in college sports.