A new twist in the world of college athletics may see the return of some professional athletes to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), regardless of the stance taken by its commissioner, Greg Sankey.
In a groundbreaking decision, a Dallas judge has issued a ruling that prevents both the SEC and the NCAA from barring a select group of athletes from making one last appearance in college sports, as reported by ESPN on Thursday.
The restraining order features 41 athletes as plaintiffs. Notable names among them are Cowboys wide receiver Jordan Hudson, along with two players from the Chiefs—linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and wide receiver Omari Evans.
Included in this order are Christeen Iwuala and Bailey Maupin, athletes who recently signed contracts with the WNBA earlier in the summer.
This judicial order marks a significant precedent, being the first to prevent a sports conference from penalizing schools for agreements with any of the listed plaintiffs. It categorically states that neither the NCAA, the SEC, nor Commissioner Sankey can obstruct these athletes’ return based on their professional engagements.
READ MORE: Biden Weighs Controversial Trump Pardon Plan, Draws Sharp White House Criticism
“As long as they would have been eligible to continue playing college sports in the following semester if they had a fifth year of eligibility, they are eligible today,” Judge Martin Hoffman wrote in the order.
Furthermore, if any of the parties want to block any of the plaintiffs for another reason, they would have to argue their case in front of a judge, the order states.
Hoffman’s order comes after all four power conferences voted to create similar rules that would prohibit universities from playing athletes who have signed contracts in professional sports.
The ACC was the most recent power four conference to pass an order, doing so in an unanimous vote on Thursday.
The resolution applies to players who declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA drafts and did not withdraw ahead of draft day; players who signed contracts with either the NFL or another pro football league, NBA/G League or WNBA; and any athlete listed on a NFL, other professional league NBA/G League or WNBA roster.
“The Board’s action reflects the ACC’s commitment to preserving college sports as an opportunity for college students that is clearly distinct from professional sports, protecting opportunities for current and future student-athletes and promoting competitive equity,” the ACC said in a statement.