A federal judge grants Diego Pavia a preliminary injunction, and the NCAA appeals
On December 18, 2024, a federal judge granted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia a preliminary injunction, granting him an additional year of eligibility. The NCAA appealed on December 23.
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt head coach
I couldn’t be happier for Diego to be able to extend his college career …
Associated Press, via NBC Sports
Day by day
- Dec 18, 2024On Dec. 18 the judge granted the preliminary injunction.
- Dec 23, 20245 days laterThe NCAA appealed the injunction the same day its Division I board of directors granted a waiver for athletes in a similar situation.
The day
Ryan Downton, Diego Pavia’s attorney
… a junior college season shouldn’t be the equivalent of an NCAA season when the junior college season has no meaningful opportunities to earn NIL, no television exposure. They take other athletes [who are playing somewhere outside of high school] and don’t hold those seasons against them.
U.S. District Judge William Campbell ordered a preliminary injunction for starting quarterback Diego Pavia on Dec. 18, granting him an additional year of eligibility to play NCAA football without penalty.
Reaction
Through Dec 23, 2024
The NCAA’s side
NCAA
Altering the enforcement of rules overwhelmingly supported by NCAA member schools makes a shifting environment even more unsettled …
Outlet report that takes neither side
Associated Press
The NCAA appealed Monday the preliminary injunction granted by a U.S. federal judge giving Diego Pavia another year of eligibility even as the organization’s Division I board of directors granted a waiver allowing athletes in a similar situation as the Vanderbilt quarterback to play in 2025-26.
The court (opinion quoted by an outlet)
Judge William L. Campbell Jr., U.S. District Judge, Middle District of Tennessee
With Pavia as quarterback, Vanderbilt has seen historic success — Vanderbilt beat both the University of Alabama and Auburn University — and the team will be playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2018 …
The court’s opinion, as quoted by the Associated Press on NBC Sports
Given the different treatment of other student-athletes with comparable or more post-secondary experience, the NCAA’s assertion that the eligibility rules are necessary to prevent age and experience disparities and preserve the quality of experience for student-athletes falls flat …
The court’s opinion, as quoted by the Associated Press on NBC Sports
Related
Court rulings on college athletics
- Aug 8, 2014O’Bannon v. NCAA ruling
- Jun 21, 2021NCAA v. Alston: the Supreme Court and limits on athlete benefits
- Nov 14, 2023Oregon State and Washington State win control of the Pac-12 board
- Feb 23, 2024Tennessee and Virginia v. NCAA: the preliminary injunction
- May 23, 2024House v. NCAA settlement
- Pavia v. NCAA: the preliminary injunctionThis page
Sources
News and releases
NBC Sports, Dec 18, 2024“Vandy QB Diego Pavia wins injunction allowing him to play D-I football in 2025”
ESPN, Dec 18, 2024“Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia granted injunction allowing for added eligibility”
The NCAA’s statement, as printed by ESPN
The Vanderbilt Hustler, Dec 18, 2024“UPDATED: Diego Pavia granted preliminary injunction, can play in 2025”
Student newspaper of Vanderbilt University
- KVIA, Dec 23, 2024
“NCAA appealing Pavia injunction as D-I board grants waiver to former JUCO players”
Associated Press, via KVIA