ACC members agree to adopt league-wide ban on football, basketball pros returning to college
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The ACC’s presidents met and unanimously voted to adopt a league-wide ban against professional athletes returning to college football and basketball. While the specifics differ slightly, every Power 4 conference now has similar enforcement in place prohibiting pro players in major college sports.
According to a release from the ACC on Thursday, ACC football and basketball programs cannot add players who check any of the following boxes:
A player who has…
- Declared for the NFL (or any other pro football league*), NBA/G-League or WNBA (or affiliates*) drafts and did not withdraw before the deadline and in accordance with the NCAA’s requirements to retain eligibility.
- Signed a professional contract with teams in the NFL*, NBA/G-League or WNBA*. This includes an Exhibit-10, 2-way contract or “any agreement providing for compensation outside of expenses.”
- Been listed on an NFL*, NBA/G-League or WNBA* roster.
Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported earlier on Thursday that College Football Playoff leaders are expected to meet and discuss a potential ban on pro players competing in the 12-team event.
With that, the major entities in college football are united in taking a stand against pro players seeking a 5th year in college sports. LSU recently made headlines by adding commitments from a few of these players, including former Ole Miss TE Dae’Quan Wright.
Lawsuits have been everywhere in college hoops, too — a good portion of LSU basketball’s roster is affected by the SEC’s similar ruling on Tuesday, and many more programs around the conference such as Tennessee, Texas A&M and Kentucky could be affected, too.
Expect many more legal battles to bleed into the college football regular season, folks.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
