Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Florida State University can keep its Seminoles nickname and Chief Osceola mascot after the National Collegiate Athletic Association ruled that the Seminole Tribe of Florida approved their usage.

Today's decision is the first reversal since the governing body for U.S. college sports this month imposed a ban at its tournaments on American Indian nicknames and mascots that are ``hostile or abusive.''

Florida State appealed the rule and threatened a lawsuit. The NCAA last week said it would consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether a school's namesake tribe approved the use of its name and mascot.

``The decision of a namesake sovereign tribe, regarding when and how its name and imagery can be used, must be respected even when others may not agree,'' the NCAA said in a statement.

Florida State spokeswoman Lauren Williams said school officials would comment on the ruling later today.

The NCAA said its position on the use of American Indian mascots, names and imagery hasn't changed, and those that are determined to be hostile or abusive can't be shown on uniforms or other team-related clothing during postseason tournaments. Schools won't have to make changes during the regular season.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 23, 2005 15:39 EDT