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NCAA panel approves new eligibility rules giving Division I athletes 5 years to play 5 seasons
By Eric Olson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 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...
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The new NCAA eligibility rules will have a direct impact on San Antonio 's college sports landscape, particularly at the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Division I school. With the five-in-five model, UTSA athletes will have a clearer understanding of their eligibility timeline, eliminating the need for waiver requests and potential litigation. This change will also affect local high school athletes who aspire to compete at the Division I level, as they will now have a more predictable path to managing their eligibility. The new rules will take effect this fall, giving UTSA coaches and athletes a more stable framework for roster management and planning. As the college sports landscape continues to evolve, San Antonio fans will be watching to see how these changes play out on the field and in the lives of local student-athletes. The city's sports community will likely be paying close attention to how UTSA adapts to these new rules.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Olson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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