NCAA Division I board maintains age-based eligibility rule amid lawsuits
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 23, 2026, 10:08 PM
Last updated Jul 23, 2026
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to the new age-based eligibility rule on July 23, 2026. This decision follows lawsuits from basketball players claiming the rule restricts their chances to compete further in college sports. The rule, set to take effect this fall, limits waivers for extending eligibility and allows athletes five seasons of competition over five years. Lawsuits have emerged across the country, including one in Ohio where athletes received a preliminary injunction enabling them to enter the transfer portal. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey raised concerns about the timing of the new rule without sufficient data to justify it.
- •NCAA affirms age-based eligibility rule expected this fall.
- •Lawsuits from players challenge fairness of the new rule.
- •Rule provides five seasons of competition over five years.
- •SEC Commissioner voices concerns about the rule's justification.
- •Athletes received preliminary injunctions in various states.
- 8:39 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA Stands Firm on New Age-Based Eligibility Rule Despite Backlash
- 1:01 AMESPN — NCAA D-I Board: No plans to change age rule
- 10:08 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA Division I board: No plans to change age-based eligibility rule being challenged in court
"The NCAA Division I Board of Directors doubled down Thursday on the new age-based eligibility rule that has prompted some athletes to go to court in hopes of extending their college careers. The Division I Cabinet, which approved the new rule last month, issued a similar statement last month after a group of basketball players filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court contending the age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition. The board statement indicates it won't budge from its stance like it did when, in response to former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's 2024 court win, it granted an additional year to athletes who had competed at non-NCAA schools for at least one season and were set to complete their eligibility.
"The NCAA is not backing down. Despite mounting lawsuits and criticism from athletes affected by the organization’s new eligibility model, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors has no plans to revisit or change its recently approved age-based eligibility rules, according to ESPN. The new policy, approved last month, replaces the NCAA’s traditional eligibility system…
"The NCAA Division I Board doubled down Thursday on the new age-based eligibility rule that has prompted some athletes to go to court in hopes of extending their college careers.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 24, 2026, 8:39 PMNCAA Stands Firm on New Age-Based Eligibility Rule Despite Backlash
The NCAA is not backing down. Despite mounting lawsuits and criticism from athletes affected by the organization’s new eligibility model, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors has no plans to revisit or change its recently approved age-based eligibility rules, according to ESPN. The new policy, approved last month, replaces the NCAA’s traditional eligibility system…
- ESPNJul 24, 2026, 1:01 AMNCAA D-I Board: No plans to change age rule
The NCAA Division I Board doubled down Thursday on the new age-based eligibility rule that has prompted some athletes to go to court in hopes of extending their college careers.
- Yahoo SportsJul 23, 2026, 10:08 PMNCAA Division I board: No plans to change age-based eligibility rule being challenged in court
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors doubled down Thursday on the new age-based eligibility rule that has prompted some athletes to go to court in hopes of extending their college careers. The Division I Cabinet, which approved the new rule last month, issued a similar statement last month after a group of basketball players filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court contending the age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition. The board statement indicates it won't budge from its stance like it did when, in response to former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's 2024 court win, it granted an additional year to athletes who had competed at non-NCAA schools for at least one season and were set to complete their eligibility.
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