NCAA stands by age-based eligibility rules, does not plan to ‘modify their application’ amid lawsuits

Amid a growing number of lawsuits, the NCAA is standing by its new age-based eligibility rules. In a statement Thursday, the association said it does not plan to “modify their application.”

The NCAA Division I Cabinet approved the age-based model last month in an overhaul of its eligibility rules. An athlete’s “clock” starts when they enroll full-time in college or following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first, and they will get five years of eligibility.

“We are encouraged by the Division I membership’s broad support of the age-based eligibility rules,” the NCAA’s statement read. “The design of the new rules, including its implementation strategy, was thoughtful and well informed, and was unanimously supported by the Cabinet, including its student-athlete members.

“The Board has no plans to modify their application, notwithstanding a series of lawsuits recently filed on behalf of student-athletes with no remaining eligibility. We look forward to ensuring that the age-based eligibility rules are enforced consistently so that all institutions play by the same rules, like all participants in sports.”

This story will be updated.