Court denies Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler’s push for 5th season of eligibility

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler’s legal push for a fifth year of collegiate eligibility has been denied. At least for now.

In May, Zeigler sued the NCAA over its “five years to play four seasons” eligibility rule, asserting that the rule “is an unlawful restraint of trade under federal and state antitrust laws.” That preliminary injunction has been denied by U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Crytzer.

Zeigler’s lawsuit argued that depriving him of a fifth season of eligibility was depriving him of “the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes.” It went on to state that if Zeigler were eligible to play in the 2025-26 season he could make anywhere from $2-4 million.

Had Zeigler’s lawsuit been successful, it would have undoubtedly opened the floodgates to a multitude of other lawsuits from recently graduated athletes hoping to participate in the 2025-26 season.

For the time being, the court is siding with the NCAA. However, it should be noted that the court repeatedly references “the current state of the law” in its ruling.

“The court is a court of law, not policy,” Judge Crytzer wrote in her denial. “What the NCAA should do as a policy matter to benefit student athletes is beyond the each of the Sherman Act and TIPA.”

Litson PLLC, one of the two firms representing Zeigler in the lawsuit, put out the following statement in response to the court’s denial:

We are disappointed the Court declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the basis that the NCAA does not directly control NIL compensation, just days after the House settlement confirmed they would do exactly that.

This ruling is just the first chapter of what we believe will ultimately be a successful challenge. We intend to press forward and are evaluating the best path ahead for Zakai.

A four-year starter at Tennessee, Zeigler’s stellar college career included him being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, an SEC All-Defensive Team selection in four consecutive years, and a Third Team All-American in 2024-25. He helped lead the Volunteers to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive years, including regional final appearances in 2024 and 2025.

If this is, in fact, the end of Zeigler’s college career, he’ll end it as Tennessee’s single-season (275) and career (747) record holder for assists, and career steals leader with 251.