An attorney for T.A. Cunningham, the top-ranked football prospect in California in the Class of 2024, filed for an injunction Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court to overturn a ruling that he was ineligible.
Cunningham, a junior, moved to Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos, California, from Georgia, where his parents still live. Cunningham is eligible to play Thursday night if an "immediate order" is made.
There is no written explanation for the decision to bar Cunningham from playing football this season.
According to the filing, the ruling from the CIF, California's governing body for high school athletics, "is based on the grounds that Cunningham does not meet the definition of a homeless student."
Cunningham's petition included photographic evidence that his family was evicted from their home in order to find a new place to attend school.
Cunningham's father was connected with representatives from Levels Sports Group, which was created to facilitate name, image and likeness deals for college and high school athletes.
The Cunningham family was promised a home, transportation and meals in California, according to the filing. The Levels Team promised to give a separate home for Cunningham's mother in Georgia.
The filing states that none of that happened.
Cunningham and his younger brother stayed at the home of Levels co- founder Chris "Frogg" Flores, who was later charged with multiple counts of sexual assault of a minor.
The filing states that the Levels Team went dark after Flores was arrested. Cunningham wanted his contract with Levels to be revoked. This request was met with levels.
Cunningham is homeless right now. He didn't get the NIL deals that were promised. He's been a victim.
The goalposts were moved by the CIF-SS after they received a declaration from the lawyer for Cunningham. While the organization no longer objected to Cunningham's hardship claim, it had opened an undue influence investigation, which would keep Cunningham out.
Pre-Enrollment contact with coaches prior to a transfer is not allowed, as are athletically motivated transfers. The rules have been difficult to enforce and apply inconsistently throughout the state.
Cunningham's transfer was not commented on by the commissioner in an email to the sports network.
T.A. Cunningham is not being treated the same as other people. He is.
The body of an email addressed to a number of people was included in the filing. In football, building illegal mega teams becomes dangerous for players. Exposure to devastating injuries while playing vs players such asTA Cunningham is the concern of our organization.
Cunningham was quoted in a story as saying that he took a visit to Los Alamitos and that he could trust the coaching staff.
Cunningham's case is expected to be presented before a judge on Thursday.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
