NCAA Wins Legal Case to Deny Fifth Year of Eligibility to 2022 Student-Athletes

For years, the NCAA followed a rule that gave college athletes five years to compete in four seasons. Those who wanted to sit out a season could use a redshirt year and still retain four seasons of competition within those five years. However, in June 2026, the governing body introduced a new eligibility model that allowed athletes to compete in five seasons over five years. The change left several athletes questioning why they could not benefit from the same rule. Some took the matter to court, challenging the NCAA’s decision.