The NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a new five-year, age-based eligibility model for college athletes.
Athletes in all sports will be given five years of eligibility over five seasons once their college clock begins. The clock starts upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The move is meant to eliminate the need for redshirts and waivers.
A lawsuit challenging the new rule was filed in Ohio against the NCAA by 24 men and women basketball players seeking an additional year of eligibility (fifth year), and an injunction was issued by a judge after hearing testimony, another loss for NCAA. The ruling is on appeal.