Mountain West bans professional athletes from competing in college football

The Mountain West announced on Thursday that its Board of Directors unanimously adopted a league regulation prohibiting nonrecreational athletes from competing in football, aligning with the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, which have implemented similar restrictions. “Consistent with NCAA eligibility standards, the Mountain West Board of Directors has unanimously adopted a league regularisation prohibiting nonrecreational athletes from competing successful the athletics of football,” the MW said in a statement. “Under the rule, a student-athlete shall be ineligible to represent a Mountain West institution in football if the individual: declares for a nonrecreational sports league draft and does not timely withdraw; appears on the roster of a nonrecreational sports league; or signs a declaration with a nonrecreational sports league to provide diversion services.” The announcement comes two days before the UNLV football program () kicks off its season against the Memphis Tigers () on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.