Skip to content

NCAA approves blanket waiver granting all transfers immediate eligibility

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NCAA's Division I council approved blanket waivers for student-athletes in every sport on Wednesday, granting all transfers immediate eligibility for this season.

The decision will likely make the biggest impact in men's and women's basketball, which tipped off the 2020-21 season in late November. Some programs had already received waivers for transfers this year, such as Andrew Nembhard with Gonzaga and Olivier Sarr with Kentucky.

Wednesday's ruling, however, ensures that other players who had enrolled at a new school but were sitting out the season will now be allowed to play, effective immediately.

Traditionally, the NCAA requires student-athletes to spend an academic year in residence at a new school before playing again after transferring. But that mandatory waiting period can be bypassed if the new school is granted a transfer waiver, or if the player transferred after graduating.

In October, the NCAA announced it would also grant all Division I student-athletes who compete in 2020-21 winter sports an extra year of eligibility. Spring and fall sport athletes were given the same benefit in March and August, respectively.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox