Ivey vs. AHSAA: Alabama Governor Fights for Student-Athlete Rights

A legal battle is brewing between Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) over a new law. At the center of the dispute is the CHOOSE Act, a state law that gives students more choice in where they go to school.

However, the AHSAA has created its own rule that prevents students who transfer under this law from playing sports for one year. Governor Ivey believes this policy goes against the spirit of the law and is now challenging the AHSAA in court.

In addition to the one-year ban, Governor Ivey is also fighting a rule that punishes students and schools for playing under a court order—even if that order is later overturned.

“It was bad enough when the AHSAA decided to sideline CHOOSE Act student-athletes,” Governor Ivey said. “It is even worse to learn that the AHSAA will penalize schools and students for playing pursuant to the court order Speaker Ledbetter and I obtained just two weeks ago.”

Governor Ivey is determined to protect the rights of student-athletes and ensure the CHOOSE Act delivers on its promise of true school choice, both in and out of the classroom.