Sam C. Ehrlich
@samcehrlich.com
Asst. Professor of Legal Studies @BoiseStateCOBE. I study sport law, and find it neat. I also track college sports law cases on my website (www.collegesportslitigationtracker.com). He/Him. @samcehrlich on the ex-bird app.
Importantly, the court did NOT answer this question, merely finding instead that it needs a full post-discovery administrative record to make a ruling here.
But this ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that will clearly have major, major impact on college sports.
But this ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that will clearly have major, major impact on college sports.
September 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Importantly, the court did NOT answer this question, merely finding instead that it needs a full post-discovery administrative record to make a ruling here.
But this ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that will clearly have major, major impact on college sports.
But this ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that will clearly have major, major impact on college sports.
Poa argued that the manner by which courts are asked by USCIS to interpret "temporarily and solely" is contradictory: permitting dual roles as "student-athletes" for F-1 visas while precluding it for P-1A visas. She argued that's arbitrary and capricious under the APA.
September 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Poa argued that the manner by which courts are asked by USCIS to interpret "temporarily and solely" is contradictory: permitting dual roles as "student-athletes" for F-1 visas while precluding it for P-1A visas. She argued that's arbitrary and capricious under the APA.
So Poa applied for a P-1A visa. She was denied on the basis that P-1A visaholders must be coming to to the US "solely for the purpose of [playing sports]." USCIS regulations hold that student-athletes come for education, not "solely for the purpose of [playing sports]."
September 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
So Poa applied for a P-1A visa. She was denied on the basis that P-1A visaholders must be coming to to the US "solely for the purpose of [playing sports]." USCIS regulations hold that student-athletes come for education, not "solely for the purpose of [playing sports]."
The lawsuit is over a post-NIL gap that exists between F-1 (student) and P-1A ("internationally recognized athletes") visas.
Student-athletes have traditionally gotten F-1 visas, but F-1 regulations place significant limitations on holders' abilities to make money in the US.
Student-athletes have traditionally gotten F-1 visas, but F-1 regulations place significant limitations on holders' abilities to make money in the US.
September 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The lawsuit is over a post-NIL gap that exists between F-1 (student) and P-1A ("internationally recognized athletes") visas.
Student-athletes have traditionally gotten F-1 visas, but F-1 regulations place significant limitations on holders' abilities to make money in the US.
Student-athletes have traditionally gotten F-1 visas, but F-1 regulations place significant limitations on holders' abilities to make money in the US.
Interesting news this morning concerning international college athletes: A Louisiana federal court has **denied** a USCIS motion to dismiss Arizona State basketball player Last-Tear Poa's lawsuit against the agency over the agency denying her petition for a P-1A visa. 🧵
September 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Interesting news this morning concerning international college athletes: A Louisiana federal court has **denied** a USCIS motion to dismiss Arizona State basketball player Last-Tear Poa's lawsuit against the agency over the agency denying her petition for a P-1A visa. 🧵
Just updated the "key dates this month" section of the College Sports Litigation Tracker... it's going to be a big month in the college sports law world!
September 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Just updated the "key dates this month" section of the College Sports Litigation Tracker... it's going to be a big month in the college sports law world!
The Sixth Circuit has set oral arguments in the NCAA's appeal of the Diego Pavia lawsuit for October 23.
Unlike the other eligibility rule appeals (Fourqurean/Elad/Braham), this appeal won't affect Pavia's 2025 playing status. But it'll certainly affect others' moving forward.
Unlike the other eligibility rule appeals (Fourqurean/Elad/Braham), this appeal won't affect Pavia's 2025 playing status. But it'll certainly affect others' moving forward.
August 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The Sixth Circuit has set oral arguments in the NCAA's appeal of the Diego Pavia lawsuit for October 23.
Unlike the other eligibility rule appeals (Fourqurean/Elad/Braham), this appeal won't affect Pavia's 2025 playing status. But it'll certainly affect others' moving forward.
Unlike the other eligibility rule appeals (Fourqurean/Elad/Braham), this appeal won't affect Pavia's 2025 playing status. But it'll certainly affect others' moving forward.
The West Virginia attorney general's office has filed a motion to weigh in on the eligibility lawsuit involving four would-be WVU transfers, supporting the athletes' argument that the challenged eligibility rules violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
August 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The West Virginia attorney general's office has filed a motion to weigh in on the eligibility lawsuit involving four would-be WVU transfers, supporting the athletes' argument that the challenged eligibility rules violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
SFA states they lack enough athletes to field teams and reinstating them would cost $1 million. They take issue with the court's contention that their budget woes are self-inflicted by their choice to opt into the House settlement.
August 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
SFA states they lack enough athletes to field teams and reinstating them would cost $1 million. They take issue with the court's contention that their budget woes are self-inflicted by their choice to opt into the House settlement.
These motions are always kind of funny to me because they're essentially "Hey, we know you ruled this way, but you're wrong and you're going to get overturned on appeal so can we get a stay until that happens?"
August 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
These motions are always kind of funny to me because they're essentially "Hey, we know you ruled this way, but you're wrong and you're going to get overturned on appeal so can we get a stay until that happens?"
The Texas AG's office is seeking a stay of the preliminary injunction forcing them to reinstate Stephen F. Austin's women’s beach volleyball, bowling, and golf teams while they appeal the decision to the Fifth Circuit.
I'd imagine it's unlikely this gets granted, but we'll see.
I'd imagine it's unlikely this gets granted, but we'll see.
August 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The Texas AG's office is seeking a stay of the preliminary injunction forcing them to reinstate Stephen F. Austin's women’s beach volleyball, bowling, and golf teams while they appeal the decision to the Fifth Circuit.
I'd imagine it's unlikely this gets granted, but we'll see.
I'd imagine it's unlikely this gets granted, but we'll see.
We have eligibility rule lawsuit #30. This one involves multiple athlete-plaintiffs, all seeking to play football this fall for West Virginia after transferring there this spring.
The plaintiffs are Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington.
The plaintiffs are Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington.
August 4, 2025 at 3:42 PM
We have eligibility rule lawsuit #30. This one involves multiple athlete-plaintiffs, all seeking to play football this fall for West Virginia after transferring there this spring.
The plaintiffs are Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington.
The plaintiffs are Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington.
Finally got a chance to dig into the SFA Title IX opinion from last night and this note on the balance of hardships preliminary injunction element... seems impactful.
Since I'm fairly sure SFA won't be the only one to cut sports citing increased costs due to the House settlement.
Since I'm fairly sure SFA won't be the only one to cut sports citing increased costs due to the House settlement.
August 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Finally got a chance to dig into the SFA Title IX opinion from last night and this note on the balance of hardships preliminary injunction element... seems impactful.
Since I'm fairly sure SFA won't be the only one to cut sports citing increased costs due to the House settlement.
Since I'm fairly sure SFA won't be the only one to cut sports citing increased costs due to the House settlement.
Eligibility rule lawsuit #29 has been filed. This one is by UNLV DL Tatuo Martinson, who played two years (bookending a cancelled 2020-21 season) at JUCO American River College and three years (including one redshirt year) at UNLV.
July 31, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Eligibility rule lawsuit #29 has been filed. This one is by UNLV DL Tatuo Martinson, who played two years (bookending a cancelled 2020-21 season) at JUCO American River College and three years (including one redshirt year) at UNLV.
A California federal court has denied UCLA transfer Kaedin Robinson's motion for a TRO, but set a hearing on the injunction for August 18.
Of note, the judge is also presiding over U San Diego transfer Jagger Giles's case, and also set a hearing in that case for the same day.
Of note, the judge is also presiding over U San Diego transfer Jagger Giles's case, and also set a hearing in that case for the same day.
July 30, 2025 at 12:34 AM
A California federal court has denied UCLA transfer Kaedin Robinson's motion for a TRO, but set a hearing on the injunction for August 18.
Of note, the judge is also presiding over U San Diego transfer Jagger Giles's case, and also set a hearing in that case for the same day.
Of note, the judge is also presiding over U San Diego transfer Jagger Giles's case, and also set a hearing in that case for the same day.
Here are the now-certified class definitions for the case. Reese Brantmeier and Maya Joint are the class representatives.
July 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Here are the now-certified class definitions for the case. Reese Brantmeier and Maya Joint are the class representatives.
A federal court in North Carolina has granted the plaintiffs' motion to certify an injunctive and damages class of Division I tennis players in Brantmeier v. NCAA.
The lawsuit challenges the NCAA's ban on tennis players receiving prize money from outside competitions.
The lawsuit challenges the NCAA's ban on tennis players receiving prize money from outside competitions.
July 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A federal court in North Carolina has granted the plaintiffs' motion to certify an injunctive and damages class of Division I tennis players in Brantmeier v. NCAA.
The lawsuit challenges the NCAA's ban on tennis players receiving prize money from outside competitions.
The lawsuit challenges the NCAA's ban on tennis players receiving prize money from outside competitions.
A NJ federal district court has granted Seton Hall's motion for summary judgment against former basketball players Myles Powell and Jasmine Smith, dismissing their tort claims against the university.
No opinion filed to the docket yet; I'll link it when it pops up.
No opinion filed to the docket yet; I'll link it when it pops up.
July 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A NJ federal district court has granted Seton Hall's motion for summary judgment against former basketball players Myles Powell and Jasmine Smith, dismissing their tort claims against the university.
No opinion filed to the docket yet; I'll link it when it pops up.
No opinion filed to the docket yet; I'll link it when it pops up.
Ex-Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's lawsuit against Ohio State, Learfield, the Big Ten, and the NCAA over the purported continued use of his NIL has been denied, with an Ohio federal district court granting the defendants' motions to dismiss.
July 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Ex-Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's lawsuit against Ohio State, Learfield, the Big Ten, and the NCAA over the purported continued use of his NIL has been denied, with an Ohio federal district court granting the defendants' motions to dismiss.
So Stephen F. Austin U is trying once again to count cheer and dance teams towards Title IX compliance. We're back to that.
I mean, good luck.
I mean, good luck.
July 17, 2025 at 3:37 AM
So Stephen F. Austin U is trying once again to count cheer and dance teams towards Title IX compliance. We're back to that.
I mean, good luck.
I mean, good luck.
Some House settlement clean up: Judge Wilken has granted class counsel's motion for attorneys' fees, costs, and service awards (for the class reps) while denying MoloLamken's motion for an extention to file for their own attorneys' fees for their work as settlement objectors.
July 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Some House settlement clean up: Judge Wilken has granted class counsel's motion for attorneys' fees, costs, and service awards (for the class reps) while denying MoloLamken's motion for an extention to file for their own attorneys' fees for their work as settlement objectors.
Another interesting part of this case: Giles was apparently not told he ineligible until he arrived at USD in June. Which, again, shows the confusion over the Pavia waiver.
And then USC refused to file for a waiver on his behalf, as "it would surely be denied." (Which is true)
And then USC refused to file for a waiver on his behalf, as "it would surely be denied." (Which is true)
July 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Another interesting part of this case: Giles was apparently not told he ineligible until he arrived at USD in June. Which, again, shows the confusion over the Pavia waiver.
And then USC refused to file for a waiver on his behalf, as "it would surely be denied." (Which is true)
And then USC refused to file for a waiver on his behalf, as "it would surely be denied." (Which is true)
Of interest, his college career started with him not on any athletic team; he was at Cal State San Marcos for his freshman year where he didn't play sports, sat out a year, then played two JUCO years and two D1 years. Yet under NCAA rules his clock started in that freshman year.
July 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Of interest, his college career started with him not on any athletic team; he was at Cal State San Marcos for his freshman year where he didn't play sports, sat out a year, then played two JUCO years and two D1 years. Yet under NCAA rules his clock started in that freshman year.
We now have NCAA eligiblity rule lawsuit #26, this time by ex-Idaho State LB and U. San Diego transfer Jagger Giles.
July 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We now have NCAA eligiblity rule lawsuit #26, this time by ex-Idaho State LB and U. San Diego transfer Jagger Giles.