Overview
- The Division I FBS Oversight Committee rejected the waiver in a Jan. 22 video conference, marking a second straight denial for the schools.
- In its written rationale, the NCAA said “circumstances do not warrant relief of the legislation” and pointed to an ongoing calendar review before allowing outside spring competition.
- Colorado will not appeal, and both programs will proceed with standard spring plans, with Syracuse’s intrasquad game set for April 11 and Colorado opening spring practice on March 2.
- The 2025 request was denied for late timing, whereas the 2026 filing came earlier but was declined to avoid a case-by-case exception during the comprehensive review.
- Deion Sanders and Fran Brown had sought an NFL-style pilot, arguing potential injury-risk reduction and citing Division II precedent, while the NCAA noted a subgroup may later consider legislation permitting joint practices.