NCAA proposing major changes to eligibility rules, including age limits
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The NCAA is considering a new age-based eligibility rule that would grant athletes five years of eligibility starting from their 19th birthday or high school graduation, eliminating waivers and redshirts except for rare exceptions like maternity or military service.
- This proposal aims to address inconsistent court rulings and ongoing lawsuits related to eligibility extensions, which have caused division and legal costs exceeding $16 million in the past year.
- The current system allows four seasons of play over five years with possible redshirts and waivers, but the new rule would remove these options, potentially preventing athletes from regaining lost eligibility and simplifying the eligibility framework.
- NCAA officials and member schools view the change as urgent and may implement it as soon as the 2026 academic year, with efforts to avoid negatively impacting current athletes’ eligibility.
- The move also responds to concerns about fairness and roster limitations, as extended eligibility can block opportunities for younger players amid rising athlete compensation and recruiting competition.
