NCAA Rule Change to Give 5 Years of Eligibility Advances to Next Stage, President 'Optimistic'

In the ever-changing world of college sports, there could be a rule that would standardize eligibility in the near future.

The NCAA announced Monday the Division I Board of Directors told the Division I Cabinet to advance an age-based eligibility concept calling for athletes to have five years of eligibility. That five-year period of time would start during the regular academic year after whichever happens earlier between an athlete graduating high school and turning 19 years old.

In essence, athletes would not be limited to four years of eligibility during their five-year window.

"The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes' experiences," Tim Sands, who is the president of Virginia Tech and the chair of the board, said. 

"The board fully supports student-athletes receiving the unprecedented financial benefits now available to them and emphasized these changes would protect opportunities for high school student-athletes to access the benefits only college sports can provide, while delivering predictable outcomes for student-athletes and our schools."

NCAA president Charlie Baker told ESPN's Pete Thamel he is "pretty optimistic" the proposal will become a rule.

Perhaps most notably, the Division I Board of Directors recommended the rule is not implemented retroactively for those who have already used their eligibility under the current rules even if it becomes a rule down the line.

"If you've used up your eligibility, you've used it up," Baker said.

With many college basketball teams still putting their rosters together for the 2026-27 season, that provides some clarity when it comes to players who are set to graduate or used their eligibility up under current rules but may not be talented enough to reach the NBA or WNBA.

Implementing the five-year eligibility rule ahead of next season and allowing such players to return would have surely caused even more chaos in terms of roster construction during an already hectic time with the transfer portal and name, image and likeness opportunities.

The proposal also calls for the maintaining of the Division I core guarantees that provide degree-completion funding for up to 10 years following the exhaustion of an athlete's eligibility.

The Division I Cabinet is expected to meet in May to discuss the next steps.