Indianapolis ? An appeals court issued a stay in a request by the NCAA to delay a decision overturning an NCAA rule that prohibits Division One basketball teams from playing in more than two exempt tournaments in a four-year period.
The ruling Wednesday by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal judge’s decision in July denying a request by the NCAA to delay a decision overturning the rule.
“This decision provides stability until the Sixth Circuit ultimately rules on the appeal,” NCAA general counsel Elsa Cole said.
The appeal will be heard by the Sixth Circuit court on an expedited basis.
This ruling puts college schedules — including Kansas University’s slate — into a state of confusion.
KU, for instance, wanted to play in the season-opening Guardians Classic, but the Jayhawks will now be unable to compete in the event without relief from the courts allowing KU to play in more than two exempt events every four years.
That relief is not expected to come now for at least several weeks — weeks the Jayhawks and other teams don’t have, with schedules already late.
“Any team that cannot play in an exempt event cannot play in one this season,” NCAA official Jeff Howard told espn.com, Wednesday night.
Kansas is of those teams with no exemption this season.
Organizers of the Guardians Classic indicate they want to overturn the stay before the season.
As it stands now, KU likely will return to its original plan of playing Michigan State Nov. 25 at Allen Fieldhouse.
The suit against the NCAA was brought by Worldwide Basketball, Sports Tours Inc., Dorna Sports Promotions and the Gazelle Group. They said that if high-profile teams such as Duke, Kansas and Arizona can play in only two such events in a four-year period, spots in tournaments must be filled by teams that attract less fan interest.
Other exempt events include the Great Alaska Shootout, Maui Invitational and Preseason NIT.
