Cortez Braham lawsuit dismissed, NCAA cannot punish Memphis with 'rule of restitution'

A federal court on Sept. 9 dismissed a lawsuit between former Memphis football receiver Cortez Braham and the NCAA, ending a legal saga that stretched on for more than a year.

Braham initially sued the NCAA in 2025 to get an additional year of eligibility. He was granted a preliminary injunction before transferring to Memphis, where he was the Tigers' leading receiver in 2025. After the season ended, Braham's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The NCAA fought it, saying in legal filings that it wanted to enforce the "rule of restitution" against Memphis for playing a player they said should have been ineligible. Lawyers for both sides argued their cases in a Las Vegas courtroom in March.

Charles Huff, Memphis Tigers football coach in first season

A ruling finally came on Sept. 9, when the panel of judges ruled that the case was moot and dismissed it.

"Famously, in sports, "it ain't over 'til it's over." But, in this case, it's over," Judge Gabriel P. Sanchez wrote. "The game clock has run out on the 2025 college football season. With these appeals, the NCAA attempts one last Hail Mary pass: asking us to reverse the preliminary injunctions granted to these college football players that allowed them to play in the now complete 2025 season. Because these injunctions have already expired and these players' collegiate careers are over, no effective relief can be granted to the NCAA. We therefore dismiss these appeals as moot."

The ruling means the NCAA cannot punish Memphis for playing Braham during the 2025 season.

The judges also dismissed a case involving former San Diego State player Tatuo Martinson that had been combined because it dealt with the same issues.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.