NASHVILLE FEDERAL COURT ISSUES PRELIMINARY INJUCTION
ALLOWING VANDERBILT QUARTERBACK DIEGO PAVIA TO PLAY IN 2025
Chief Federal District Judge Determined NCAA Rule Limiting Eligibility for
Former Junior College Players Is a Restraint on Trade With a Substantial Anticompetitive Effect
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (December 18, 2024) – Chief United States District Judge William Campbell
issued a preliminary injunction this afternoon against the NCAA allowing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego
Pavia to play an additional season of college football next year.
Pavia had filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in November, arguing that the NCAA violated the Sherman
Act through rules limiting Pavia to three seasons of eligibility to play Division I football because he
previously played junior college football. In issuing its preliminary ruling invalidating such rules (as to
Pavia), the Court ruled that Pavia had made a “clear showing” of likely success in a final trial because
the rules limiting junior college eligibility are “restraints on trade with substantial anticompetitive effects.”
Pavia’s lawyer, Ryan Downton of the Texas Trial Group, stated, “Diego is very thankful for the work of
the Court and its staff in expediting this ruling. The NCAA has not yet adjusted to the NIL era and
continues to impose unfair restrictions on college athletes. The Court’s ruling is another step in leveling
the playing field to allow college athletes to share in the billions of dollars earned due to their labor. While
the ruling is limited to Pavia, we believe it may open the door for other former junior college players to
obtain an additional year of eligibility without filing a lawsuit.”
With respect to the question on the mind of every Vanderbilt fan, Downton stated: “While the Court’s
ruling does not restrict where Diego can play next season, he loves Vanderbilt and Coach Lea. So long
as he receives an appropriate NIL package, I expect to see him in the black and gold for as long as he
has eligibility remaining and Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are coaching in Nashville.”
The lawsuit is Pavia v. NCAA, Case No. 3:24-cv-01336 before the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Tennessee. Diego Pavia is represented by Ryan Downton of the Texas Trial Group and
Sal Hernandez and Trey McGee of Riley & Jacobson, PLC. Please direct media inquiries to Mr. Downton
at 512-680-7947 or Ryan@TheTexasTrialGroup.com.
###
ALLOWING VANDERBILT QUARTERBACK DIEGO PAVIA TO PLAY IN 2025
Chief Federal District Judge Determined NCAA Rule Limiting Eligibility for
Former Junior College Players Is a Restraint on Trade With a Substantial Anticompetitive Effect
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (December 18, 2024) – Chief United States District Judge William Campbell
issued a preliminary injunction this afternoon against the NCAA allowing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego
Pavia to play an additional season of college football next year.
Pavia had filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in November, arguing that the NCAA violated the Sherman
Act through rules limiting Pavia to three seasons of eligibility to play Division I football because he
previously played junior college football. In issuing its preliminary ruling invalidating such rules (as to
Pavia), the Court ruled that Pavia had made a “clear showing” of likely success in a final trial because
the rules limiting junior college eligibility are “restraints on trade with substantial anticompetitive effects.”
Pavia’s lawyer, Ryan Downton of the Texas Trial Group, stated, “Diego is very thankful for the work of
the Court and its staff in expediting this ruling. The NCAA has not yet adjusted to the NIL era and
continues to impose unfair restrictions on college athletes. The Court’s ruling is another step in leveling
the playing field to allow college athletes to share in the billions of dollars earned due to their labor. While
the ruling is limited to Pavia, we believe it may open the door for other former junior college players to
obtain an additional year of eligibility without filing a lawsuit.”
With respect to the question on the mind of every Vanderbilt fan, Downton stated: “While the Court’s
ruling does not restrict where Diego can play next season, he loves Vanderbilt and Coach Lea. So long
as he receives an appropriate NIL package, I expect to see him in the black and gold for as long as he
has eligibility remaining and Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are coaching in Nashville.”
The lawsuit is Pavia v. NCAA, Case No. 3:24-cv-01336 before the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Tennessee. Diego Pavia is represented by Ryan Downton of the Texas Trial Group and
Sal Hernandez and Trey McGee of Riley & Jacobson, PLC. Please direct media inquiries to Mr. Downton
at 512-680-7947 or Ryan@TheTexasTrialGroup.com.
###
