Former Tennessee basketball star Zakai Zeigler refuses to back down in his battle against the NCAA. The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year has escalated his legal fight by filing an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
This latest move comes after a federal judge denied his preliminary injunction request on June 12. Zeigler’s determination to secure a fifth season demonstrates the high stakes in modern college athletics, where NIL deals reach millions.
Zakai Zeigler Takes Fight to Higher Court After Setback
U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer rejected Zeigler’s preliminary injunction request on June 12, following a June 6 hearing in Knoxville. However, the 22-year-old point guard and his legal team wasted no time pursuing their next option.
Tennessee basketball player Zakai Zeigler is appealing the denial of his motion for a preliminary injunction to the Sixth Circuit. https://t.co/lMYKECxgqY pic.twitter.com/a8UWmBX4ti
— Sam C. Ehrlich (@samcehrlich) June 17, 2025
The Notice of Appeal officially notifies the court that “Plaintiff Zakai Zeigler appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit — pursuant to 28 U.S.C § 1292(a)(1) — from the Memorandum Opinion (Dkt. 41) entered in this case on June 12, 2025, which denied Mr. Zeigler’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction (Dkt. 3).”
The appeal represents Zeigler’s most significant legal maneuver in challenging the NCAA’s traditional four-season rule.
Zeigler’s attorneys from Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm had previously maintained confidence despite the setback.
“We are disappointed the Court declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the basis that the NCAA does not directly control NIL compensation, just days after the House settlement confirmed they would do exactly that,” the firms stated.
Million-Dollar Stakes Drive Unprecedented Challenge
The financial implications cannot be overstated. His lawsuit argues he could earn between $2 million and $4 million with another season, compared to approximately $500,000 earned during his senior year. These projections come from Tennessee’s NIL collective, Spyre Sports Group.
Judge Crytzer wrote that Zeigler failed to demonstrate likely success, arguing that the NCAA’s four-season limit violates the Sherman Act. She emphasized that “This Court is a court of law, not policy. What the NCAA should do as a policy matter to benefit student-athletes is beyond the reach of the Sherman Act and TTPA.”
Unlike Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who successfully argued for additional eligibility based on junior college experience, Zeigler attended only Tennessee. He graduated in four years with a retail and merchandising management degree, following the traditional academic path.
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The NCAA maintains that eligibility rules are non-commercial, concerning when students are eligible to play sports. Zeigler’s team argues that the four-seasons rule creates unlawful restraint of trade under federal antitrust law.
The Sixth Circuit appeal represents a critical juncture in college athletics litigation. If successful, Zeigler’s case could open doors for numerous graduating seniors seeking additional eligibility seasons, fundamentally altering college sports.
“This ruling is just the first chapter of what we believe will ultimately be a successful challenge. We intend to press forward and are evaluating the best path ahead for Zakai,” his attorneys had previously declared.
The appeal process might typically take months, leaving Zeigler’s playing future uncertain as the 2025-26 season approaches.
