Team captain of the Fort Erie Otters files lawsuit against the NCAA
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Fort Erie Otters team captain Rylan Masterson has filed a class action lawsuit against the NCAA and 10 universities, accusing them of anti-trust violations.
Rylan Masterson, a young Canadian hockey player, is taking legal action against the NCAA, claiming that their rules unfairly prevent anyone who has played for a major junior team from entering the U.S. college hockey system. He's calling on other players who feel affected by this policy to join him in the lawsuit.
In 2022, Masterson played two exhibition games for the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Windsor Spitfires. According to NCAA rules, this cost him the chance to ever play college hockey in the U.S.-the very rule he's now challenging.
TSN's Rick Westhead noted that while the NCAA reviewed this rule in 2023 and gave Division I coaches the option to opt out of the "boycott," the majority voted to keep the rule in place.
"The lawsuit also pointed out instances where pro athletes have competed in NCAA sports. Boston University's Tom Willander played pro hockey in Sweden before enrolling in the NCAA school, the lawsuit said, adding tennis players can make as much as $10K per year without losing NCAA eligibility. Other athletes such as swimmers Katie Ledecky and Joseph Schooling received $115K and $740K respectively for their athletic achievements yet retained NCAA eligibility, the lawsuit said."
A trial date has not yet been set. Although these rules have been in place for decades, Masterson's case suggests that it may be time for change.
Source: Blades of Steel
Canadian hockey player launches class-action lawsuit against NCAA
Canadian hockey player launches class-action lawsuit against NCAA
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