The NCAA will assemble a panel to discuss eligibility rules that will include age limits for athletes, according to published reports on Wednesday.
New suggested guidelines from the collegiate governing body would impose a five-year cap on eligibility that would begin when athletes turn 19 or from the moment they graduate from high school, based on an Associated Press report that included information from two people familiar with the matter.
The people spoke on a condition of anonymity since the NCAA has not released any official statement on the proposed changes.
However, the report comes a nearly week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that included similar language that would only allow athletes one transfer and five years of eligibility.
Trump’s order also seeks to prevent schools from eliminating scholarships, guaranteed medical care for athletes, find a revenue sharing model that creates opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports along with ending “pay-for-play agreements” that have allowed wealthy institutions to lure top prospects.
The order is set to take effect on August 1 despite facing opposition, likely being blocked in federal court and challenges from prospective lawsuits. The mandate also cannot simply overturn existing individual state laws that have largely favored schools that have the resources to attract top talent.
“The resulting chaos is creating financial pressures that threaten to drain resources from all sports except football and basketball, and from many universities altogether,” the report said. “While Congress is strongly encouraged to expeditiously pass legislation, further delay is not an option given what is at stake and the turmoil and instability currently facing universities across the nation.”
NCAA president Charlie Baker responded to the order on Friday in a statment that was seemingly in line with Trump’s motives to reform the current NIL system, curbing unrestricted transfer portal protocols and stabilizing eligibility rules.
“The NCAA has modernized college sports to deliver more benefits for student-athletes, and the Executive Order reinforces many of our mandatory protections – including guaranteed health care coverage, mental health services, and scholarship protections,” Baker said. “This action is a significant step forward, and we appreciate the Administration’s interest and attention to these issues.”
The Division I Cabinet is set to review the NCAA’s proposal next week but will not issue vote on a decision to carry out any changes, according to the report.
But if the rule is altered to implement the five year eligibility limit, the NCAA would have to specify if players who suffer injuries would be exempt and have their playing window extended.
The NCAA has asked Congress to grant an antitrust exemption under the proposed SCORE Act which would prevent players from filing lawsuits with the aim of gaining additional eligibility because of injuries. The plan also seeks one standard for transfer rules and NIL guidelines.
