Attorney General Jason Miyares announced a significant settlement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that permanently eases restrictions on Division I college athletes who have transferred schools multiple times. The NCAA’s transfer eligibility rule required athletes transferring between Division I schools to wait one year before competing in games unless they were granted a waiver. Although the NCAA exempted first-time transfers from this rule in 2021, the organization continued to enforce the rule for subsequent transfers without providing legitimate reasons for denying waivers.
The agreement is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey of the Northern District of West Virginia. Previously, Judge Bailey granted a preliminary injunction, preventing the NCAA from enforcing the transfer rule during the spring sports season. The proposed settlement announced today solidifies Judge Bailey’s decision in favor of the student-athletes.
In addition to ensuring student-athletes’ autonomy, the agreement also includes signatures from attorneys general of Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, as well as the United States Department of Justice.