NCAA announces multi-time transfers will receive immediate eligibility next season

Multi-time transfers who enter the portal this fall/winter will be eligible to play at a new school in fall 2024 without a waiver, per On3’s Pete Nakos. The NCAA provided more information in a memo it sent to schools on Thursday.

“It is not certain at this time whether the preliminary injunction will remain in effect during the 2024-25 season,” the association wrote. “However, as long as the undergraduate student-athlete transfers to another Division I institution during the 2023-24 academic year, the student-athlete will not be subject to Bylaw 14.5.5.1 during the 2024-25 academic year.

“The student-athlete would still be subject to any academic eligibility standards required for competition that may be developed or modified for the 2024-25 academic year.”

Among the fall and winter sports affected, football promises to have the largest impact. As of December 22, 1,874 FBS players have entered the Transfer Portal. Many of these student-athletes are multi-time transfers.

More on the NCAA ruling

This development is only the latest in an ongoing battle between transfers and the NCAA. Judge John P. Bailey issued a two-week TRO earlier this month as part of the Ohio v. NCAA lawsuit, allowing immediate eligibility for athletes who are either waiting on a waiver decision or had theirs denied during that time.

The lawsuit came about after West Virginia guard RaeQuan Battle fought for immediate eligibility after having his waiver denied. Earlier this calendar year, the NCAA announced it was cracking down on its two-time transfer policy, which led to more high-profile waiver denials.

Under previous rules, athletes can transfer one time with immediate eligibility but need a waiver if they do so a second time as an undergraduate. Otherwise, those athletes would have to sit out a year.

After Bailey granted a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit against the NCAA’s waiver policy, the organization agreed to new terms, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. The terms were jointly submitted to a federal court for approval.

Under the terms, the NCAA agreed not to retaliate against athletes who play during the two-week TRO, which was granted by a judge in West Virginia on Dec. 13. In addition, the TRO became a preliminary injunction, which will last through the end of the spring sports seasons.

The NCAA later released a statement confirming the injunction is in place through the end of the school year, and an athlete would use a season of eligibility if they play.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.