local
NCAA panel approves new eligibility rules giving Division I athletes 5 years to play 5 seasons
By Eric Olson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era and court fights with players trying to extend their careers, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enro...
Key takeaway “While previous NCAA rules have served college sports well for a long time, we heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The new NCAA eligibility rules will have a direct impact on local athletes in the Houston area, including those at the University of Houston, which is a Division I school. With the five-in-five model, student-athletes will have more clarity on their eligibility and will no longer have to navigate the complex waiver process for injuries. This change could also affect the recruitment strategies of local colleges, as coaches will have more predictable roster management. The rules will take effect this fall, which means that incoming freshman athletes at local universities will be the first to be governed by the new eligibility model. As the NCAA continues to evolve its policies, local athletes and colleges will be closely watching to see how these changes play out on the field and in the courtroom. The new rules may also influence how local athletes approach their college careers, with a greater emphasis on planning and timing their five years of eligibility.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era and court fights with players trying to extend their careers, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enro...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Olson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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