A Legal Challenge to the NCAA's Eligibility Rule
Alex Steen, a former Florida State basketball standout, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in a bid to secure a fifth year of eligibility for the 2026‑27 season. The complaint argues that the governing body’s eligibility framework unfairly excludes athletes who did not redshirt, a category that includes Steen himself.
The case centers on the NCAA’s ‘5‑in‑5’ rule, which permits up to five full seasons of competition within a five‑year window but bars athletes who did not take a redshirt year. Because Steen entered college directly after high school in 2022 and never redshirted, he falls squarely into the excluded group.
The 5‑in‑5 Rule and Its Exclusions
Under the regulation, student‑athletes may participate in five seasons provided they do not redshirt. Critics contend that the rule penalizes athletes who have already completed four full campaigns without the benefit of an additional development year.
Steen’s college tenure spanned four seasons between 2022 and 2025, during which he logged 633 minutes, scored 218 points and contributed 28 blocks, 28 assists and 22 steals. He also emerged as the Seminoles’ leading rebounder, helping the team remain competitive in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Coaches have publicly expressed a desire to bring him back for another season, underscoring the sporting value of his potential return. The NCAA’s communications have rendered him ineligible, a status that would prevent him from participating in the upcoming season unless judicial intervention occurs.
Urgent Relief for a Fifth Season
The stakes are heightened by the timing of roster decisions, scholarship allocations and name‑image‑likeness agreements that are being finalized for the 2026‑27 academic year. A lost season cannot be reclaimed, and the financial implications for Steen and his prospective partners are already materializing.
Attorneys for the former Seminoles player argue that without immediate injunctive relief, the NCAA’s enforcement would effectively lock him out of competitive and economic opportunities that are central to his post‑collegiate trajectory.
If the court grants relief, Steen could re‑join Florida State University for a final season, a move that would also affect roster planning at other institutions, including Florida Southern College, which has indicated interest in recruiting him.
The lawsuit not only seeks to restore eligibility for one athlete but also to spark a broader conversation about the fairness of NCAA eligibility statutes in an era where student‑athletes increasingly monetize their talents.