Appeals court pauses order that would have added eligibility year for former college athletes

A federal appeals court in the United States has put on hold a lower-court order that would have extended eligibility for thousands of former college athletes, according to reports on Friday. The pause gives the NCAA temporary relief while the case continues.

The earlier ruling had opened the door for athletes who had already left college to receive an additional year of eligibility. The appeals court has not yet issued a final decision on whether that order should stand.

The dispute centers on how long athletes should be allowed to compete under college sports rules, a question with major implications for schools, players and the NCAA. The latest action does not settle the issue, but it delays any immediate change.

The case remains active in the federal appeals process.