The College Sports Scene Just Saw a Big Change

Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era and court fights with players trying to extend their careers, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first, per the AP. The Division I Cabinet unanimously approved the change from the long-standing tenet of college sports that gave athletes five years to complete four seasons of competition, with their eligibility clock starting at the time of enrollment, regardless of age.

The move will all but eliminate waivers or redshirt years for extended eligibility except for religious missions, maternity leave, or active-duty military service. No longer will extensions be considered for athletes who are injured. "While previous NCAA rules have served college sports well for a long time, we heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. The NCAA believes the age-based model will make rules easier to administer and help make roster management more predictable for coaches.

The rules, which will become official when the cabinet adjourns on Wednesday, are set to take effect this fall. Division I includes more than 350 schools and some 200,000 athletes. The five-in-five language also is included in Senate legislation intended to address numerous concerns across college sports and comes after a wave of lawsuits from athletes seeking to extend their college careers and ability to earn money through revenue sharing and name, image, and likeness deals. Still to be seen is whether the new rules will withstand legal scrutiny alongside the existing challenges.

The new eligibility model will affect all athletes who enroll in 2027-28. Currently enrolled athletes with eligibility after the 2025-26 academic year, and those who are incoming freshmen this fall, can apply the age-based model or continue under previous eligibility rules. For schools with current athletes who may be eligible for hardship waivers or extensions of eligibility under current rules, the DI Cabinet indicated the deadline to submit requests to the NCAA is July 31. After that date, waivers will no longer be available. More here.