The federal lawsuit was filed by Alberto Osuna Sanchez, a first baseman and designated hitter.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A University of Tennessee baseball player is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association to gain another year of eligibility.
The federal lawsuit was filed by Alberto Osuna Sanchez, a first baseman and designated hitter for Tennessee Baseball. Osuna claims NCAA bylaws prohibit him from playing a fourth year of Division I baseball because he played baseball at a two-year junior college. According to the lawsuit, he’s arguing that the bylaws violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
According to the lawsuit, Osuna played baseball for two years in junior college before enrolling at UNC-Chapel Hill, an NCAA Division I school. He played three years of Division I baseball and is now a member of the UT baseball team, where he wants to play his fourth year, according to the lawsuit.
“Although the NCAA considers junior college to be ‘collegiate institutions’ for purposes of determining an athlete’s eligibility, it does not govern or control junior college athletics,” the lawsuit said. “Junior college athletics are governed primarily by the National Junior College Athletic Association, which has no affiliation with the NCAA.”
The lawsuit claims most of the money earned through Name, Image and Likeness deals goes to Division I athletes, and “there are no meaningful NIL opportunities for JUNCO players.”
Osuna hit 45 home runs during his time at UNC and played in the 2024 College World Series. He graduated from UNC in spring 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science.
UT head baseball coach Tony Vitello said in a declaration that Osuna would be a “key contributor” to the team if eligible. However, Vitello noted he must finalize the roster by Thursday, with the season opener set for Friday.
The suit claims Osuna stands to earn more in NIL compensation if allowed to play a fourth year of Division I baseball.
Osuna’s attorneys argue that if he isn’t allowed to play, he will suffer “substantial immediate and irreparable harm” by missing out on NIL compensation, development opportunities and exposure to MLB scouts.
A motion hearing is set to take place on Thursday at 2 p.m.
