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INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The NCAA Division I Cabinet has unanimously voted in favor of the comprehensive new eligibility regulations.

The newly implemented age-based five-in-five model provides all Division I student-athletes with five years of eligibility across five seasons, thereby removing the conventional redshirt system and waivers.

This means that athletes will have five years to use their eligibility, which must be finished within five years after they graduate high school or by their 19th birthday, whichever happens first. 

There will be a few exceptions for things like religious missions, maternity leave, and military service, according to a report. 

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Football 

In football, the five-year rule is expected to remove situations where players have over six years of eligibility. On the flip side, this could result in a higher average of experienced players, as they would now have access to as many as 60 regular-season games. Twelve games are the regular-season per season. 

Redshirting in this scenario could cost the athlete a year of eligibility. 

Basketball 

In basketball, the same rules apply universally, but by tying eligibility to a firm five-year window, players cannot endlessly bounce around on waivers, retain a year for academic loopholes, or claim extra seasons just to capitalize on NIL deals instead of entering the workforce. 

By preventing older athletes from occupying roster spots indefinitely, the NCAA aims to keep younger players flowing into the system and improve overall team turnover. 

This will also affect international basketball loopholes, the five-and-five rule aims to cut off these kinds of loopholes at the knees. International professional players would still be able to enroll in college basketball, but could face shorter eligibility periods. 

For additional details, please visit NCAA.org.