ACC adopts ban on former pros returning to college sports, joining other Power Five leagues
The ACC voted unanimously to prohibit athletes who have signed professional contracts or entered drafts from rejoining its football and basketball rosters, completing a trend started by the Big Ten and followed by the SEC and Big 12.
The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Thursday that its directors unanimously adopted new eligibility restrictions, preventing any football or men's or women's basketball player who has entered a professional draft without timely withdrawal, signed with an NFL, NBA, G League, WNBA or affiliated team, or appeared on a professional roster, from being listed on an ACC roster. This makes the ACC the last Power Five conference to implement the ban, after the Big Ten introduced it first and the SEC and Big 12 quickly followed.
The regulations also extend to certain compensated summer-league contracts, including Exhibit 10 and Two-Way deals. The policy is a response to a wave of lawsuits filed by student-athletes challenging the NCAA’s upcoming 5-for-5 eligibility rule, which will not take effect until the 2027-28 season. Louisville recruit Seth Trimble and Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari joined such a suit on August 27 and are scheduled for a court hearing on August 31. The announcement was reported by the Louisville Courier Journal, with contact information for sports writer Alaina Morris provided.
Why it matters
The ban limits future college opportunities for athletes who have already pursued professional contracts, reshaping eligibility rules across major conferences.
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