The NCAA has approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes, allowing them to compete for five seasons over a five-year period. This change is aimed at reducing the chaos of the transfer portal era.
Key Changes
The new rules will all but eliminate waivers or redshirt years for extended eligibility, except for religious missions, maternity leave, or active-duty military service. Injured athletes will no longer be considered for extensions.
The rules are set to take effect this fall and 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.
Attorney Mit Winter, who specializes in sports law, has called the five-year proposal and age limit ‘a very sensible rule’ in offering a ‘more black and white’ evaluation to player eligibility.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
