Judge makes ruling against SEC in latest twist to fifth-year eligibility drama

Some pro athletes might be able to make a return to the SEC — whether its commissioner Greg Sankey wants them to or not.A Dallas judge prohibited the SEC and the NCAA from stopping a group of athletes from returning for one more season of college athletics in an order signed Thurday, ESPN reported.There are a total of 41 players listed as plaintiffs on the restraining order, including Cowboys wide receiver Jordan Hudson and two Chiefs players, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and wideout Omari Evans.Both Christeen Iwuala and Bailey Maupin, who signed WNBA contracts earlier this summer, are also included on the order.The judge’s order is the first of any kind to prohibit a conference from punishing schools for signing any of the plaintiffs named in the case, saying that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey cannot block the players’ return based on their time on a professional roster.“As long as they would have been eligible to continue playing college sports in the following semester if they had a fifth year of eligibility, they are eligible today,” Judge Martin Hoffman wrote in the order.Furthermore, if any of the parties want to block any of the plaintiffs for another reason, they would have to argue their case in front of a judge, the order states.Hoffman’s order comes after all four power conferences voted to create similar rules that would prohibit universities from playing athletes who have signed contracts in professional sports.The ACC was the most recent power four conference to pass an order, doing so in an unanimous vote on Thursday.The resolution applies to players who declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA drafts and did not withdraw ahead of draft day; players who signed contracts with either the NFL or another pro football league, NBA/G League or WNBA; and any athlete listed on a NFL, other professional league NBA/G League or WNBA roster.“The Board’s action reflects the ACC’s commitment to preserving college sports as an opportunity for college student...