After transferring from the New Mexico State Aggies, fifth-year quarterback Diego Pavia has led the Vanderbilt Commodores to one of the best seasons in program history. And yet, he’s suing the NCAA in the middle of the season.
Details of Diego Pavia’s Lawsuit Against the NCAA
On the field, Pavia has led the ‘Dores to six wins, their most since 2018, with three games remaining. Thus, Vandy will go bowling for the first time in seven years. However, off the field, Pavia has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA.
The suit claims the governing body’s policy of counting junior college seasons toward eligibility and the inability to redshirt after four years of play breaches antitrust law. It further argues these restrictions have cost athletes valuable NIL opportunities.
Pavia started his collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute in 2020, leading the team to an NJCAA championship in his second season. In 2022, he took over as the starting QB at New Mexico State, where he played for two years before transferring to Vanderbilt in January.
That’s five seasons of play, which typically isn’t allowed without a redshirt. Yet, the NCAA gave athletes affected by the pandemic in 2020 an extra year of elgibitly.
“Athletes playing football outside of the NCAA monopoly have no meaningful opportunity to profit off their name, image, or likeness,” the complaint states. “Even so, JUCO Eligibility Limitation Bylaws restrict the ability of athletes who begin their college football careers in junior colleges from having the same opportunity to profit from NIL as students who enter an NCAA institution as freshmen.
“Specifically, the JUCO Eligibility Bylaws limit athletes who begin their college careers at junior colleges to only two or three seasons of NCAA Division I football, as opposed to the four seasons of competition (and NIL Compensation opportunities) available to all other NCAA Division I football players.”
Pavia’s lawsuit also asks the court to review the rule of restitution, which could lead to penalties like vacated wins, postseason bans, loss of TV revenue, and financial sanctions if an ineligible athlete competes. The complaint includes a declaration of support from Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
“To make a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction meaningful in this case, Pavia respectfully requests that the Court enjoin the NCAA’s application of the Rule of Restitution against Pavia, Vanderbilt University, or any other NCAA Division I college to which Pavia could transfer,” the filing states.
As Pavia continues to drive Vanderbilt’s historic season, the lawsuit may soon shape his future and the NCAA’s policies on eligibility as the courts weigh whether these restrictions unfairly limit players’ rights and opportunities.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.