Louisiana Joined Lawsuit Against NCAA Eligibility Rules
The state attorney general intervened in a case to support a ULM football player's bid for a fifth year of play.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit against the NCAA in Ouachita Parish. The legal action aims to secure a fifth year of eligibility for University of Louisiana at Monroe football player Zachary Palmer-Smith.
Why it matters
The state argues that NCAA eligibility standards violate Louisiana public policy. Officials claim the current rules negatively impact the state and its public higher education institutions.
The Attorney General filed a formal request to intervene as an additional party in an existing state court lawsuit. The case remains active in Ouachita Parish while the state seeks to challenge NCAA eligibility protocols.
The players
Liz Murrill
Liz Murrill is the Attorney General of Louisiana who has taken an active role in litigation concerning college athletics eligibility.
Zachary Palmer-Smith
Zachary Palmer-Smith is a University of Louisiana at Monroe football player who filed a lawsuit to gain a fifth year of playing eligibility.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a non-profit organization that regulates student athletics across colleges and universities in the United States.
The details
The lawsuit contends that the NCAA's refusal to grant an additional year of eligibility to Zachary Palmer-Smith is contrary to the state's public interest. Attorney General Liz Murrill previously provided support for a separate lawsuit involving more than 40 student athletes in Baton Rouge.
Timeline
In September 2026, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the state's legal intervention.
The legal filing was submitted to the Ouachita Parish state court in September 2026.
Legal Context
The filing is part of a broader trend of state-level legal challenges against NCAA eligibility bylaws that often conflict with local legislative priorities. It follows recent patterns where states utilize the court system to contest the regulatory autonomy of national collegiate athletic governing bodies.
This case highlights the growing intersection between state policy and the rules governing public university athletics. The outcome of the litigation could set a precedent for how student athletes in the state navigate eligibility requirements.
The takeaway
The move reflects a persistent effort by state officials to influence the regulatory environment of collegiate sports. Observers should continue to monitor how these state-level interventions impact the standard procedures for student athlete eligibility.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit Criminal Justice.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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