NCAA panel approves new eligibility rules

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The NCAA is rolling out new rules clarifying how many years a student athlete can compete as more look to use to the transfer portal to purse extra playing time or endorsement money.

The organization’s Division I Cabinet unanimously approved the new rule this week, which permits athletes up to five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday.

The rule is designed to streamline what the NCAA says is a significant portion its rule book by eliminating season-of-competition limits, sport-specific eligibility and redshirt rules, and eligibility extension waivers.

“For many student-athletes who enroll in college immediately after high school, these changes will result in the opportunity to potentially compete for an additional season in their chosen sport,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at the University of Illinois and chair of the Cabinet. “For campus officials and coaches, this change provides rules that are simpler to administer and easier to predict for roster management decisions.”

The new rule change comes as the NCAA works with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to craft legislation that will better allow it to enforce its policies on key issues like eligibility and the transfer portal.

Some student athletes have in recent years tested the limits of the NCAA’s power, like former Texas Tech Brendan Sorsby who petitioned a judge to reinstate him after the NCAA banned him for violating its anti-gambling policies.

Sorsby was eventually reinstated, but later announced his decision to declare for the NFL supplemental draft after a number of major schools threatened to boycott games against Texas Tech over Sorsby’s participation.

The NFL on Tuesday informed Sorsby it would not hold a supplemental draft this year, The Associated Press reported, noting the soonest he will be able to begin a career in the league is 2027.

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