Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom's future as a college football player could be decided Wednesday.

Bloom, the world's top-ranked moguls skier who competed at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics and a standout high school wide receiver who sat out the college football season last year, is seeking a temporary injunction that would allow him to play football at the University of Colorado this fall despite receiving income from skiing endorsements, a modeling contract and, potentially, as a television reporter.

Bloom will ask a Colorado district court judge in Boulder to examine NCAA rules that prohibit college athletes from being paid for appearances on radio, television or stage productions "related in any way to athletics ability or prestige," and endorsement income related to their athletic prowess. Bloom, who led Loveland (Colo.) High to a state championship in 2000, has deferred his admission at Colorado for a year and still has yet to enroll at the school while awaiting the outcome of his petition.

"The NCAA has never explicitly told Jeremy what he can do and what he can't do," said Peter Rush, Bloom's attorney. Bloom, who is expected to testify at the hearing on Wednesday, petitioned the NCAA in January, contending that his skiing endorsements were unrelated to his ability in football. In February, on the same day Bloom finished ninth in the Olympic moguls competition, the NCAA denied his petition.

Despite clearance by the NCAA to practice with the Buffaloes should his case not be resolved by Aug. 8, Bloom also faces a hurdle with school officials who are fearful that his participation could result in the forfeiture of games this season.

"If Jeremy were to start practicing while continuing his endorsements -- absent a favorable ruling -- he would be ineligible to compete for the university," said Sherri McKelvey, Colorado's assistant director of compliance. "The university would seek reinstatement, but would be reluctant to play him if it meant having to forfeit games because he is subsequently declared ineligible."

While the hearing takes place Wednesday, Colorado officials hope to clarify eligibility issues in a conference call with the NCAA Legislative Review and Interpretation Subcommittee. Though Bloom is seeking the court's clarification of the matter, school officials say they do not believe the money he makes related to his professional skiing and modeling career violate NCAA rules. Their uncertainty remains focused on a possible TV deal.

"Jeremy Bloom didn't get the job offer because of his skiing ability," McKelvey said. "He got it because of his on-air talent."

Bloom fears it is possible NCAA officials could argue he received the job as a result of his athletic prowess, even if it wasn't for his skill at an NCAA sport. Should that happen, the school would seek a waiver of the bylaw restriction by the NCAA Administrative Review Subcommittee, McKelvey said.

Spokesperson Jane Jankowski said NCAA officials would reserve comment until after Wednesday's hearing.

Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at Darren.rovell@espnpub.com