Braxton Whitehead is challenging NCAA rules about amateur sports.
He’s a player from the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League and has committed to play for Arizona State in 2024-25. But there’s a problem: NCAA rules say athletes who got paid for their skills can’t play college sports, which includes minor league hockey players.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshinski reported that Whitehead’s commitment is unique because it’s happening amid a lawsuit against the NCAA and other schools over these restrictive rules. Whitehead, 20, thinks this lawsuit, combined with changes in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) laws, might force the NCAA to change its stance. “I kind of hit the lottery with the timing of all that’s going on right now,” he told ESPN. “I think [the suit] gave me that extra step just to put myself out there and try something that’s never been done before.”
Legal Battles and Eligibility:
The lawsuit claims that NCAA bylaw 12.2.3.2 — which says players who were ever on a professional team can’t play college sports — breaks anti-trust laws. It also accuses the NCAA of creating a “group boycott” against Canadian players, making leagues less competitive and lowering player pay.
Whitehead’s choice to commit to ASU raises questions as college hockey season approaches: Will the NCAA stop him from playing or punish ASU? Neither side has commented yet according to Wyshinski.
Interestingly, similar issues exist in baseball where former pros can return to college sports. For example, Monte Harris played ten years of pro baseball but is now a freshman football player at Arkansas because he never played college sports before.
Fans might wonder how this will affect future athletes’ decisions about turning pro or going to college first.
Whitehead hasn’t played any sport at the college level yet but still can’t join ASU’s team due to current rules. As October nears and games begin , everyone will be watching closely.
What do you think? Should these rules change?
