Why is Diego Pavia suing the NCAA? Exploring the Vanderbilt QB's latest accusations over NIL

Diego Pavia on Friday filed a lawsuit against the NCAA. The Vanderbilt quarterback has been impressive this season, leading the Commodores to one of the most impressive seasons in recent history.

He became a sensation in the landscape after leading Vanderbilt to a historic upset against Alabama in Week 6. Let's take a look at why the quarterback is suing the governing body.

Why is Diego Pavia suing the NCAA?

Diego Pavia's lawsuit against the NCAA on Friday claims that the organization’s practice of counting junior college seasons toward NCAA eligibility violates antitrust law. The complaint also challenges the restriction preventing athletes from redshirting after four years of play.

The quarterback further contends that these rules have caused athletes to lose out on potential NIL earnings. After playing two seasons at New Mexico State, Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2024 season and has seen significant growth in his NIL valuation since then.

"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.

This legal action highlights ongoing debates about NCAA eligibility regulations and their impact on athletes' rights and earning potential. The outcome of Pavia's lawsuit could have significant implications for future policies regarding JUCO transfers and athlete compensation.

What is Diego Pavia requesting in the lawsuit?

In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Middle Tennessee, Diego Pavia is requesting a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. With his attendance at junior college during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the NCAA rules won’t allow him to participate in the 2025 college football season.

"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.

"Because its purpose is to punish challenges to the NCAA’s anticompetitive rules by attempting to deprive courts of the ability to grant effective relief and depriving individual student-athletes and member institutions of the practical ability to rely on court orders in their favor.”

Diego Pavia’s lawsuit filed on Friday also includes a declaration of support from Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea. The quarterback has been instrumental to the coach’s success this season with the Commodores and having him for another season will be pivotal for the program.

Furthermore, the complaint requests the court to scrutinize the NCAA’s restitution rule. This could impose severe consequences such as vacating victories, postseason disqualifications, forfeiture of TV revenue, and financial sanctions if an ineligible player is found to have competed.