A federal judge ruled this morning that Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is eligible for April’s NFL Draft.
U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin decided that the NFL’s rule which states a player must be three years out of high school before entering the draft violates federal antitrust laws.
“The NFL has not justified Clarett’s exclusion by demonstrating that the rule enhances competition,” Scheindlin wrote in her 70-page ruling. “Indeed, Clarett has alleged the very type of injury – a complete bar to entry into the market for his services – that the antitrust laws are designed to prevent.”
Clarett has scheduled a news conference for later today in New York.
The running back has not played since Ohio State’s 2002 national championship season. He was ineligible for the 2003 season after accepting improper benefits from a family friend and lying to investigators, a suspension that led to to challenge the NFL’s draft rules.
The NFL plans to appeal the ruling.
