The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief has authority over most NCAA Division I legislative relief requests, including blanket waivers of legislation. The NCAA Division I Council and/or one of its standing committees may request the NCAA staff to issue blanket legislative relief for the Division I membership in some circumstances.

• NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief- Archived Blanket Waivers 

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NCAA Division I Blanket Waiver – Football Use of a Season of Competition - Approved July 30, 2025.

At the request of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Oversight Committees’ Administrative Subcommittee, NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver request in football (FBS/FCS) to exempt postseason participation [conference championship game, bowl game, College Football Playoff contest(s), NCAA Division I Football Championship] from the limit of four contests a student-athlete may participate in without using a season of competition.

In granting this request, the staff noted:

1. The blanket waiver is applicable to postseason competition that occurs during the 2025-26 academic year;
2. The timing of the notification of transfer window and the necessity of accelerated discussions and decisions for student-athletes and coaches regarding future participation opportunities;
3. The potential impact of student-athletes opting out of participation in postseason competition on participating football student-athletes; and
4. The blanket waiver allows the NCAA Division I governance structure additional time to consider legislative alternatives to football’s season-of-competition legislation.

See Case No. 1248977 in Request/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found at NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 12.8.3.1 (minimum amount of competition) and 12.8.3.1.6 (exception -- football)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief - Designated Student-Athlete – Notification of Transfer - NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.1.1.4.1 and 13.1.1.4.2 - Approved July 2, 2025.

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief issued a one-time blanket waiver providing relief of NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.1.1.4.1 and 13.1.1.4.2 to allow an individual who is included on a participating institution’s Designated Student-Athlete list in accordance with the House settlement to provide notification of transfer and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal outside of a designated transfer window from Monday, July 7, 2025 through Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

In granting the request, the Division I Committee for Legislative Relief noted: (1) The June 6 approval of the House settlement; (2) Guidance from the NCAA Division I Settlement Implementation Committee to provide flexibility for individuals identified as Designated Student-Athletes to provide notification of transfer; and (3) That signed prospective student-athletes who are included on a participating institution’s Designated Student-Athlete List must be released from their contact prohibition upon request.

The blanket waiver is effective July 7, 2025, until Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

See RSRO Case No. 1246502/Self-Reports Online via the search tab.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.1.1.4.1 (notification of transfer--undergraduate student-athletes) and 13.1.1.4.2 (notification of transfer--post-graduates)].

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Women’s Volleyball – First Permissible Preseason Practice Date – June 30, 2025

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit member institutions to begin preseason practice sessions in women’s volleyball on July 31, 2025.

For the 2025-26 academic year, an institution may commence preseason practice sessions beginning July 31, 2025.

In granting the request, the Committee for Legislative Relief noted:

1. The blanket waiver is only applicable for the 2025-26 academic year;
2. The blanket waiver does not amend or extend the women’s volleyball playing season, the length of an institution’s playing season in women’s volleyball remains limited to a 132-day season;
3. The blanket waiver permits a uniform date for preseason practice for all Division I women’s volleyball programs;  
4. The American Volleyball Coaches Association supports the request;
5. The women’s volleyball community intends to request the NCAA Division I Sports Oversight Committee to introduce legislation to amend the playing season; and
6. The blanket waiver request does not represent a permanent legislative solution but serves as temporary relief to allow for the women’s volleyball playing season proposal to be reviewed through the Council-governance legislative process.

The blanket waiver is effective for the 2025-26 academic year. Please reference Case No. 1245170 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information. 

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Blanket Waiver -- Women’s Basketball -- Attendance at Elite and Junior Level International Events and National Team Activities – Approved May 21, 2025

At the request of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit permissible off-campus recruiters in women’s basketball to attend Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships competition or the junior level equivalent competition (e.g., Junior World Championships, U17 & U19 World Cup) during June, July and August without utilizing any of the 10 international recruiting days. (Current NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.7.15) through August 2025.

Further, this blanket waiver would permit permissible off-campus recruiters in women’s basketball to attend live organized athletics activity (e.g., training camps, mini-camps, tryouts, competition) involving a national team, including junior level teams (e.g., U18 national team), provided the team is coached by a Division I institution's coach (head or assistant) or has a Division I coach involved (e.g., floor coach, selection committee member, evaluator) and the activity is approved, sponsored or conducted by the  applicable national governing body (e.g., USA Basketball) and also applies to regional championships [current Bylaw 13.1.7.6.8-(a) and (b)] during quiet and dead periods without counting these events against the 10 days maximum. 

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. This one-time waiver is effective immediately and is applicable through August 31, 2025;
2. This waiver provides flexibility for evaluations at elite and junior level equivalent competition (domestic and international) and national team activities; 
3. The number of days recruiters may attend nonelite level competition/practice at certified events are still limited; however, this would provide coaches the flexibility to attend the most prestigious events without having to consider the impact on the number of institutional recruiting days;
4. Attendance at such events will continue to be subject to any restrictions put in place by the applicable governing body (e.g., space, health restrictions);
5. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association supports the waiver request; and,
6. The Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee will discuss this issue to determine if legislation in this area should be sponsored in the future.
7. As a reminder, coaches are not permitted to attend any events, including these specified events during a recruiting shutdown period.

See Case No. 1244746 in NCAA Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.7.6.7 (International Evaluations), 13.1.7.6.8 (National Team Activities and Regional Championships), 13.1.7.15 (Coaches’ Attendance at Elite and Junior Level International Events), and 13.1.7.15.1 (Associated Practices)].

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Blanket Waiver -- Women's Basketball -- Student Managers Serving as Practice Players – Approved May 21, 2025

At the request of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit women's basketball student managers to also serve as practice players.

In granting this request, the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff noted:

1. This waiver is effective immediately and is an extension of previous blanket waivers which provided flexibility for women’s basketball student managers to serve as practice players;
2. This waiver does not permit women’s basketball student managers not counted within the institution’s coaching limitations that are performing practice player duties to engage in on-court coaching activities;
3. This waiver provides flexibility for institutions to conduct on-court countable athletically related activities and practice activities with the typical number of staff and practice players to assist in on-court activities and will provide continuity for teams to operate with the numbers of staff and practice players they have used in recent years;
4. This waiver is in effect until the conclusion of the institution’s 2025-26 regular season schedule. Any future adjustments need to be discussed through the governance and legislative process;
5. This waiver does not apply to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship as it is under the purview of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, who will take up that discussion separately at a future meeting; and
6. This waiver does apply to other events (e.g., conference championships, WBIT, WNIT) unless these events have a rule that precludes this waiver from applying to the events.

This blanket waiver is effective immediately and will conclude at the end of the 2025-26 regular season. Please reference Case No. 1244743 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaw 11.02.5]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief - Approves Blanket Waiver – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Review, Designee and Life Skills Programming - NCAA Division I Bylaws 16.3.1.2 (b), 20.2.4.3 20.2.4.31, 20.2.4.33 (effective August 1, 2025), 20.3.4.2 and 20.3.4.11 - Approved February 21, 2025.

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief issued a blanket waiver providing relief of the following Division I legislation:

• Bylaw 16.3.1.2 (b) -- Career Counseling and Life Skills Programs – diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Bylaw 20.2.4.3 -- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Review.
• Bylaw 20.2.4.31 -- Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee.
• Bylaw 20.2.4.33 -- Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee. (effective August 1, 2025)
• Bylaw 20.3.4.2 -- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Review.
• Bylaw 20.3.4.11 -- Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee.

In granting the request, the Division I Committee for Legislative Relief noted:

1. More than 20 states have passed legislation over the last two years that prevents dozens of member institutions in all three divisions from complying with these requirements. In turn, the NCAA has previously provided relief to these requirements on an individual basis as the laws become effective and member schools make operational adjustments to comply.
2. On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”, EO 14173. EO 14173 calls for the federal government to develop plans to investigate and consider significant enforcement actions against any college or university that may engage in “DEI discrimination” actions. Given the nationwide impact of the EO, blanket relief for all member schools from these requirements is necessary.

See RSRO Case No. 1239044 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 16.3.1.2 (b) (career counseling and life skills programs – diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging); 20.2.4.3 (equity, diversity and inclusion review);  20.2.4.31 (athletics diversity and inclusion designee); 20.2.4.33 (athletics diversity and inclusion designee); 20.3.4.2 (equity, diversity and inclusion review); 20.3.4.11 (athletics diversity and inclusion designee).

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NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committees – Elimination of Institutional Limit on Official Visits – Approved March 26, 2025

At the request of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Oversight Committees’ Administrative Subcommittee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver request to permit institutions to provide an unlimited number of official visits in the sport of football during the period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.

The blanket waiver is effective April 1, 2025, and allows institutions to exceed 70 institutional official visits during the April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, recruiting cycle.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The FBS and FCS Oversight Committees’ Administrative Subcommittee requested this waiver;
2. By removing the limit of 70 institutional official visits in the sport of football, the blanket waiver provides institutions additional flexibility to address the impact of recent changes in NCAA legislation (e.g., transfer immediate eligibility, unlimited official visits for prospective student-athletes) and the intercollegiate environment, allowing each institution to determine its recruiting philosophy based on institutional resources;
3. A similar blanket waiver was issued the April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, football recruiting cycle; and
4. Following the expiration of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors’ interim policy and legislative priorities, the FBS and FCS Oversight Committees’ will continue to conduct a review of football official visits and the impact of official visits in the current intercollegiate athletics environment before determining whether to introduce a legislative solution.

See Case No. 1239919 in Request/Self-Reports Online via the search tab.

References: Bylaw 13.6.2.2.2 Football. [FBS/FCS] and 13.6.2.2.2.1 National Service Academies. [FBS]

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NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball – Multiple Team Events – Approved February 3, 2025

At the request of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee (MBOC) and the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee (WBOC), the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver providing relief of the following MTE criteria for the 2025-26 season:

• Participation is limited, by conference, to one team per conference and, by institution, to not more than once in the same event in any four-year period. 

Specifically, the blanket waiver permits NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs to participate in an MTE that does not meet the legislative MTE requirements outlined above during the 2025-26 season provided the remaining requirements are met: 

1. The event is sponsored by the NCAA, an active member or a member conference of the Association or the National Association of Basketball Coaches (for men’s basketball) or the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (for women’s basketball);
2. The event includes not more than three contests per institution. For men’s basketball, an event in which each institution participates in three contests must conclude not later than 10 days after the first contest of the event. An event in which each institution participates in two contests must conclude not later than five days after the first contest of the event.  For women’s basketball, the event concludes not later than 14 days after the first contest of the event;
3. Each participating institution is using the same applicable option (i.e., 28 contests + a 3 game MTE or 29 contests + a 2 game MTE) as its maximum contest limitation for the playing season in which it participates in the event;
4. For men’s basketball, each participating institution must participate in the same number of contests in the event; and 
5. For men’s basketball, the event may include a non-Division I institution as a participant only if the non-Division I institution serves as the host of the event. 

In granting this request, the academic and membership affairs staff noted the MBOC and WBOC are conducting a comprehensive review of the MTE legislation and anticipate sponsoring a legislative proposal into the June 2025 pilot legislative cycle that would alter the existing MTE legislation. This blanket waiver is effective for the 2025-26 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.

For additional information, please reference Case No. 1230522 in Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO) via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

If an institution or event operator has questions about the blanket waiver in men’s basketball, please reach out to Abbie Markey, associate director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at amarkey@ncaa.org or 317-917-6562.  

If an institution or event operator has questions about the blanket waiver in women’s basketball, please reach out to Binh Nguyen, director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at bnguyen@ncaa.org or 317-917-6613 or Jennifer Samble, associate director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at jsamble@ncaa.org or 317-917-6675. 

[References:  NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.4.5.1.1 (Qualifying Regular-Season Multiple-Team Event – Men’s Basketball and NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.4.5.2.1 (Qualifying Regular-Season Multiple-Team Event – Women’s Basketball]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief – Field Hockey and Men’s Soccer – Approved January 22, 2025

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief issued two blanket waivers impacting the sports of field hockey and men’s soccer for the 2025 fall season. 

Specifically, the blanket waivers permit the following:

Field hockey: Division I field hockey teams may begin preseason practice 21 calendar days before the first scheduled regular season contest for 2025 fall season. For the 2025-26 academic year, an institution may commence practice sessions beginning August 8, 2025.

Men’s soccer: Division I men’s soccer teams may engage in outside competition on the Thursday before the 13th weekend before the start of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. For the 2025-26 academic year, an institution may play its first regular-season contest or engage in its first date of competition (game) with outside competition in men’s soccer beginning August 21, 2025.

Please reference Case No. 1233372 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information. 

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NCAA Division I Legislative Committee – Undergraduate Four-Year Transfers – Entry Into the Transfer Portal – Approved June 26, 2024; Updated January 15, 2025

At the request of the NCAA Division I Legislative Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit member institutions to exempt, beginning in the ensuing term following re-entry into the Transfer Portal, financial aid awarded to student-athletes subject to the scholarship protections associated with the undergraduate four-year transfer legislation provided:

1. The student-athlete re-enters the NCAA Transfer Portal; and,
2. The student-athlete no longer participates in intercollegiate athletics at the institution. If the student-athlete subsequently participates in the applicable sport at the institution, the student-athlete shall become a counter (i.e., the aid counts against team limits) for all years in which athletically related institutional aid was awarded. 

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. This blanket waiver does not permit an institution to reduce or cancel the student-athlete’s athletics aid;
2. The potential of immediate eligibility following a subsequent transfer may reduce the retention of undergraduate four-year transfers through graduation or exhaustion of eligibility as intended by NCAA Proposal No. 2022-20; and, 
3. Requiring aid received by student-athletes who entered the Transfer Portal and no longer participate in intercollegiate athletics against team financial aid limits reduces the availability of financial aid for student-athletes actively participating on the team. 

The blanket waiver is effective for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.

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NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee NCAA Certified Agents Providing Training Expenses to Division I Men’s Basketball Student-Athletes “Testing the Waters” - Approved January 14, 2025

At the recommendation of the NCAA Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, and with the support of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff approved a legislative relief blanket waiver to permit NCAA certified agents to provide a Division I men’s basketball student-athlete with transportation, meals and lodging related to training expenses (e.g., cost of trainers, facility usage fees, nutrition) in preparation for the 2025 NBA Draft, provided:

1. The NCAA Division I men’s basketball student-athlete has signed a 2025 Standard Player Agent Contract (SPAC) with the NCAA certified agent;
2. Relief is only provided from the conclusion of the student-athlete's playing season until the student-athlete withdraws from the draft or not later than 10 days after the conclusion of the NBA Draft combine, whichever is earlier; and
3. A student-athlete shall not miss class in conjunction with such training activities.

In granting this request, the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff noted:

1. The Commission on College Basketball recommended that men’s basketball student-athletes receive a meaningful assessment of their professional prospects and be able to receive assistance from certified agents;
2. After a Division I men’s basketball student-athlete signs a SPAC, an NCAA certified agent can permissibly provide the student-athlete (and family members) with transportation, lodging and meal expenses associated with meeting with the agent or a professional team; and
3. Men’s basketball student-athletes preparing for the NBA Draft and NBA Draft Combine regularly employ outside trainers to obtain a meaningful assessment of their professional prospects.

See Case No. 1237206 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Legislative Relief Waiver homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 12.3.1.2.3.2 (Expenses After Agreement), 12.2.4.2.1.1 (National Basketball Association) and 12.3.1.2.4 (No Missed Class Time)].

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NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and Championship Oversight Committees – Elimination of Institutional Limit on Official Visits - Approved November 8, 2024 (Updated November 11, 2024 to include FCS)

At the request of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl and Championship Oversight Committees, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver request to permit institutions to provide an unlimited number of official visits in the sport of football during the period of April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.

The blanket waiver is effective immediately and allows institutions to exceed 70 institutional official visits during the current recruiting cycle (i.e., April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025).

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The Football Bowl and Championship Subdivision Oversight Committees requested this waiver;
2. By removing the limit of 70 institutional official visits in the sport of football, the blanket waiver provides institutions additional flexibility to address the impact of recent changes in NCAA legislation (e.g., transfer immediate eligibility, unlimited official visits for prospective student-athletes) and the intercollegiate environment, allowing each institution to determine its recruiting philosophy based on institutional resources; and,
3. The FBSOC and FCSOC will continue to conduct a review of football official visits and the impact of official visits in the current intercollegiate athletics environment before determining whether to introduce a legislative solution.

Bylaw 13.6.2.2.2 Football. [FBS/FCS] and 13.6.2.2.2.1 National Service Academies. [FBS]

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UPDATE: June 2, 2025: Preseason Practice. This update clarifies the first permissible preseason practice date in women’s soccer for the 2025-26 academic year.  

Blanket Waiver -- Women’s Soccer First Contest or Date of Competition – October 11, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver for the 2025-26 academic year to permit, in women’s soccer, an institution to play its first regular-season contest or engage in its first date of competition (game) with outside competition before the Thursday before the 13th weekend before the start of the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship during the 2025-26 academic year (one week prior to the current legislated start date).

For the 2025-26 academic year, the first permissible contest/date of competition in women’s soccer will be August 14, 2025. Preseason practice may begin 16 days prior to the institution’s first regularly scheduled intercollegiate contest.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The blanket waiver is only applicable for the 2025-26 academic year;
2. The blanket waiver does not amend or extend the soccer playing season, the length of an institution’s playing season in soccer remains limited to a 132-day season;
3. The women’s soccer community identified match compression as a significant concern that detrimentally affects student-athlete health and well-being under the current playing season model;
4. The NCAA Division I Council introduced a proposal into the January 2025 legislative cycle to amend the women’s soccer playing season, which would be effective beginning with the 2026-27 academic year;
5. A similar blanket waiver was issued for women’s soccer for the 2024-25 academic year; and
6. The blanket waiver request does not represent a permanent legislative solution but serves as temporary relief to allow for the women’s soccer playing season proposal to be reviewed through the Council-governance legislative process.

See Case No. 1230630 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.20.3 (First Contest or Date of Competition)]

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NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball – Multiple-Team Events – Approved October 9, 2024

In April 2024, the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees introduced NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2024-15 into the legislative process.  Proposal No. 2024-15 would have provided flexibility to the current multiple-team event (MTE) criteria. During its June 2024 meetings, the oversight committees took action to table Proposal No. 2024-15 and recommended a comprehensive review occur of the MTE legislation in men’s and women’s basketball.  On October 8, 2024, the oversight committees approved the timeline and process for conducting a comprehensive MTE review and requested the staff issue a blanket waiver of specific MTE criteria in men’s and women’s basketball for the 2024-25 season in order to give the oversight committees time to complete their comprehensive review. Additionally, the oversight committees will consider the timeline for anticipated completion of the MTE review and its impact on scheduling for the 2025-26 season in future oversight committee discussions, including whether to extend the blanket waiver for 2025-26.

At the request of the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver providing relief of the following MTE criteria for the 2024-25 season:

• Participation is limited, by conference, to one team per conference and, by institution, to not more than once in the same event in any four-year period.

Specifically, the blanket waiver permits NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs to participate in an MTE that does not meet the legislative MTE requirements outlined above during the 2024-25 season provided the remaining requirements are met:

1. The event is sponsored by the NCAA, an active member or a member conference of the Association, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (for men’s basketball) or the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (for women’s basketball);
2. The event includes not more than three contests per institution. For men’s basketball, an event in which each institution participates in three contests must conclude not later than 10 days after the first contest of the event. An event in which each institution participates in two contests must conclude not later than five days after the first contest of the event. For women’s basketball, the event concludes not later than 14 days after the first contest of the event;
3. Each participating institution is using the same applicable option (i.e., 28 contests + a three-game MTE or 29 contests + a two-game MTE) as its maximum contest limitation for the playing season in which it participates in the event;
4. For men’s basketball, each participating institution must participate in the same number of contests in the event; and
5. For men’s basketball, the event may include a non-Division I institution as a participant only if the non-Division I institution serves as the host of the event.

In granting this request, the academic and membership affairs staff noted the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees are conducting a comprehensive review of the MTE legislation and anticipate sponsoring a legislative proposal into the June 2025 legislative cycle that would alter the existing MTE legislation.

This blanket waiver is effective for the 2024-25 men’s and women’s basketball seasons. For additional information, please reference Case No. 1230522 in Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO) via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

If an institution or event operator has questions about the blanket waiver in men’s basketball, please reach out to Charnele Kemper, director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at ckemper@ncaa.org or 317-917-6153 or Abbie Markey, associate director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at amarkey@ncaa.org or 317-917-6562.

If an institution or event operator has questions about the blanket waiver in women’s basketball, please reach out to Binh Nguyen, director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at bnguyen@ncaa.org or 317-917-6613 or Jennifer Samble, associate director of NCAA academic and membership affairs, at jsamble@ncaa.org or 317-917-6675.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.4.5.1.1 (Qualifying Regular-Season Multiple-Team Event – Men’s Basketball and NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.4.5.2.1 (Qualifying Regular-Season Multiple-Team Event – Women’s Basketball]

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NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee -- Women's Basketball -- Student Managers Serving as Practice Players – Approved September 26, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit women's basketball student managers to also serve as practice players during the 2024-25 playing season.

In granting this request, the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff noted:

1. This waiver is effective immediately, and is an extension of previous blanket waivers which provided flexibility for women’s basketball student managers to serve as practice players during the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 playing seasons;
2. The student manager position(s) existed as of September 26, 2024;
3. This waiver does not permit women’s basketball student managers not counted within the institution’s coaching limitations that are performing practice player duties to engage in on-court coaching activities;
4. This waiver provides flexibility for institutions to conduct on-court countable athletically related activities and practice activities with the typical number of staff and practice players to assist in on-court activities and will provide continuity for teams to operate with the numbers of staff and practice players they have used in recent years;
5. This waiver is in effect until the conclusion of the institution’s 2024-25 regular season schedule and is only applicable for the 2024-25 women’s basketball regular season. Any future adjustments need to be discussed through the governance and legislative process;
6. This waiver does not apply to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship as it is under the purview of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, who will take up that discussion separately at a future meeting; and
7. This waiver does apply to other events (e.g., conference championships, WBIT, WNIT) unless these events have a rule that precludes this waiver from applying to the events.

This blanket waiver is effective beginning September 26, 2024, and will conclude at the end of the 2024-25 regular season. Please reference Case No. 1229005 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaw 11.02.5]

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NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee – Men’s Golf -- Participation in a Date of Competition without it Counting as an Institutional Date of Competition – Approved August 28, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee, the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff issued a blanket waiver in men's golf, to permit up to four student-athletes to participate in a date of competition without it counting as an institutional date of competition provided no student-athletes contribute to a team score on the particular date of competition.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The Competition Oversight Committee requested this waiver;
2. The Competition Oversight Committee notes the unintended consequences of NCAA Proposal No. 2024-39, specifically, on men’s golf. If the amended sport sponsorship requirement remains in place, participation opportunities will be reduced for scores of men’s golf student-athletes at several dozen institutions;
3. The Men’s and Women’s Golf Committees and the Competition Oversight Committee will assess potential legislative changes during the 2024-25 academic year; and
4. This waiver only applies to the 2024-25 academic year.

This blanket waiver is effective beginning August 28, 2024, and will conclude at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Please reference Case No. 1229765 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.12.5.1.2 and 20.9.6.3]

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NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committees -- Football (FBS/FCS) -- Exempt Postseason Football Participation from Counting Toward
Use of a Season of Competition (I) - Approved August 26, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and Championship Subdivision Oversight Committees, NCAA staff approved a blanket waiver request in football (FBS/FCS) to exempt postseason participation [conference championship game, bowl game, College Football Playoff contest(s), NCAA Division I Football Championship] from the limit of four contests a student-athlete may participate in without using a season of competition.

In granting this request, the staff noted:

1. The blanket waiver is applicable to postseason football competition that occurs during the 2024-25 academic year;
2. The adoption of the notification of transfer window and the necessity of accelerated discussions and decisions for student-athletes and coaches regarding future participation opportunities;
3. The potential impact of student-athletes opting out of participation in postseason competition on participating football student-athletes; and
4. The blanket waiver allows the NCAA Division I governance structure additional time to consider legislative alternatives to football’s season-of-competition legislation.

See Case No. 1226607 in Request/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 12.8.3.1 (minimum amount of competition) and 12.8.3.1.6 (exception -- football)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief – Required Day Off During the Playing Season – Approved August 23, 2024

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief issued a blanket legislative relief waiver to permit a travel day associated with away from home competition to satisfy the day off requirement provided:

1. The institution’s team will return home to campus from away from home competition before 8 a.m.
2. The return travel for institution’s team is the only required athletically related activity that occurred between midnight and 8 a.m.
3. The institution’s team travels across a time zone for an away from home competition.
4. The institution provides a continuous 24 hours off from all athletically related activities from the time the team is officially released following the return to campus.

In granting the request, the committee noted:

• The blanket waiver request was supported by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Committee, Football Bowl Championship Oversight Committee (FBSOC), Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee (MBOC), Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee (WBOC) and the Student-Athlete Experience Committee (SAEC).

The blanket waiver is effective beginning August 23, 2024, through July 31, 2025, or until a legislation has been adopted, whichever occurs first. Please use Case No. 1226642 for additional information.

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NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee Blanket Waiver: Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey 2024-25 First Contest Date and Out-of-Season Skill Instruction Prior to the First Permissible Contest - Approved August 19, 2024

At the request of NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver for the 2024-25 academic year to permit men’s and women’s ice hockey to:

1. Permit institutions to conduct the first permissible contest on the Friday of the 25th full weekend prior to the start of the NCAA Division I (Men’s or Women’s) Ice Hockey Championship.
2. Permit up to 8 hours of skill instruction per week beginning two Mondays prior to the first permissible contest for institutions that elect to remain in an out-of-season segment (8 hours of CARA/week) prior to the first permissible contest.

In granting this request, the committee noted:

1. Institutions must include the first permissible contest conducted on Friday in the institution’s 132-day playing season limit if the institution elects to conduct the preseason practice period as an out-of-season segment.
2. Approving the blanket waiver provides consistency in scheduling, allowing institutions to open the season with a two-game series similar to how contests are scheduled throughout the remainder of the season.
3. Approving the blanket waiver supports providing ice hockey student-athletes the proper amount of on-ice training prior to the first permissible contest to help prepare for the transition to the championship segment.
4. This is a one-time waiver request for the 2024-25 academic year and allows the Student-Athlete Experience Committee to collaborate with stakeholders in ice hockey to review and gather feedback on playing season legislation proposed by the Hockey Commissioners Association with support from the American Hockey Coaches Association.

See Case No. 1226403 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[Reference: 17.1.7.2 (Weekly Hour Limitations – Outside of the Playing Season); 17.14.2 (Preseason Practice); 17.14.3 (First Contest).]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief – Field Hockey – Preseason Practice – Approved June 25, 2024, Updated July 10, 2024.

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit member institutions to begin practice sessions in field hockey 21 days before the first scheduled regular-season intercollegiate contest.

In granting the request, the Committee for Legislative Relief noted:

• NCAA Division I Proposal 2019-82 transitioned multiple sports, including field hockey from practice units to preseason practice days to simplify the determination of when preseason practice can begin;
• Proposal 2019-82 was effective beginning August 1, 2022;
• Proposal 2019-82 was not intended to decrease the number of preseason practice days in any sport but in practice, it resulted in a reduction in preseason practice opportunities for Division I field hockey teams;
• The blanket waiver provides one-time short-term relief to allow for additional discussion and review of a future legislative solution;
• The blanket waiver does not change the length of an institution’s playing season in field hockey, which is limited to a 132-day season; and
• The National Field Hockey Coaches Association supported the blanket waiver request.

NOTE: The blanket waiver is effective for the 2024-25 academic year. This blanket waiver does not impact the legislated recruiting shutdown in field hockey from August 13 through 17.

[Reference: Bylaw 17.10.2 (Preseason Practice – Women)]

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NCAA Division I Legislative Committee – Undergraduate Four-Year Transfers – Seasons of Competition Exhausted – Approved June 26, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Legislative Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to exempt in future academic years financial aid provided to student-athletes subject to the scholarship protections associated with the undergraduate four-year transfer legislation provided:

1. The student-athlete has no remaining seasons of competition but is within his or her five-year period of eligibility;
2. Remains at the institution to complete his or her first baccalaureate degree; and
3. No longer participates in intercollegiate athletics at the institution. If the student-athlete subsequently participates in the applicable sport at the institution, the student-athlete shall become a counter (i.e., the aid counts against team limits) for all years in which athletically related institutional aid was awarded.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. This blanket waiver does not permit an institution to reduce or cancel the student-athlete’s athletics aid; and,
2. Requiring aid received by student-athletes who have no remaining eligibility to count against team financial aid limits reduces the availability of financial aid for student-athletes actively participating on the team.

The blanket waiver is effective for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.

[Reference: Bylaw 15.1.2 (Undergraduate Four-Year Transfers)]

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NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees Blanket Waiver: Men’s and Women’s Basketball Institutional Official Visit Limitations – Approval of Unlimited Official Visits – Approved May 3, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees, NCAA staff approved a blanket waiver to allow institutions to provide an unlimited number of official visits in men’s and women’s basketball over the period of August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2025.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The blanket waiver addresses the impact of recent changes in NCAA legislation (e.g., one-time transfer exception, NCAA Transfer Portal windows, unlimited official visits for prospective student-athletes, multi-transfers being immediately eligible) by providing unlimited official visits to assist institutions in addressing the current challenges associated with roster depletion concerns;
2. The blanket waiver is effective immediately and applicable through July 31, 2025, and provides relief of the rolling two-year period of August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2025; and
3. The Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees introduced NCAA Division I Proposal Nos. 2024-11 (official (paid) visit – number of official visits – institutional limitations – men’s basketball) and No. 2024-18 (official (paid) visit – number of official visits – institutional limitations – women’s basketball) into the June 2024 pilot legislative cycle. During the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees joint meeting on May 3, the committees amended their respective proposals to permit unlimited official visits in men’s and women’s basketball in the future.

The staff noted the adoption of Proposal Nos. 2024-11 and 2024-18 would render the blanket waiver moot following the conclusion of the June 25-26, 2024, NCAA Division I Council meeting. However, if Proposal Nos. 2024-11 and 2024-18 are not adopted, then the rolling two-year period limit resets to 28 official visits for men’s basketball and 24 for women’s basketball for the ensuing rolling two-year period of August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2027.

This blanket waiver is effective through July 31, 2025.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.6.2.3.3 (men’s basketball) and 13.6.2.3.4 (women’s basketball)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Women’s Volleyball – FIVE ADDITIONAL DAYS OF PRESEASON PRACTICE – Approved April 10, 2024

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit member institutions to begin practice sessions in women’s volleyball 22 days before the first scheduled regular-season intercollegiate contest.

In granting the request, the Committee for Legislative Relief noted:

• NCAA Division I Proposal 2019-82 transitioned multiple sports, including women's volleyball, from practice units to preseason practice days to simplify the determination of when preseason practice can begin;
• Proposal 2019-82 was effective beginning August 1, 2022;
• Proposal 2019-82 was not intended to decrease the number of preseason practice days in any sport, but in practice, it resulted in a significant reduction in preseason practice opportunities for a majority of Division I women’s volleyball teams;
• The blanket waiver provides one-time short-term relief to allow for additional discussion and review of a future legislative solution;
• The blanket waiver does not change the length of an institution’s playing season in women’s volleyball, which is limited to a 132-day season; and
• The NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee and the American Volleyball Coaches Association supported the blanket waiver request.

The blanket waiver is effective for the 2024-25 academic year. Please use Case No. 1213694 for additional information.

[Reference: Bylaw 17.27.2 (Preseason Practice – Women)]

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NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee – Women’s Basketball - Exemption of Institutional Coaching Staff Members’ Attendance at Elite and Junior Level International Events and National Team Activities from Recruiting Person Days in June, July and August 2024 - Approved March 15, 2024 (Updated June 14, 2024)

At the request of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit permissible off-campus recruiters in women’s basketball to attend Olympic, Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships competition or the junior level equivalent competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, Junior World Championships, U17 & U19 World Cup) during June, July and August without utilizing any of the 10 international recruiting days. (Current NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.7.15) through August 2024.

Further, this blanket waiver would permit permissible off-campus recruiters in women’s basketball to attend live organized athletics activity (e.g., training camps, mini-camps, tryouts, competition) involving a national team, including junior level teams (e.g., U18 national team), provided the team is coached by a Division I institution's coach (head or assistant) or has a Division I coach involved (e.g., floor coach, selection committee member, evaluator) and the activity is approved, sponsored or conducted by the applicable national governing body (e.g., USA Basketball) and also applies to regional championships (current Bylaw 13.1.7.6.8.- a and b). during quiet and dead periods without counting these events against the 10 days maximum.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. This one-time waiver is effective immediately, and is applicable through August 31, 2024;
2. This waiver provides flexibility for evaluations at elite and junior level equivalent competition (domestic and international) and national team activities during an Olympic year;
3. The number of days recruiters may attend nonelite level competition/practice at certified events are still limited; however, this would provide coaches the flexibility to attend the most prestigious events without having to consider the impact on the number of institutional recruiting days;
4. Attendance at such events will continue to be subject to any restrictions put in place by the applicable governing body (e.g., space, health restrictions);
5. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association supports the waiver request; and,
6. The Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee will discuss this issue to determine if legislation in this area should be sponsored in the future, as part of the two-year evaluation of the current recruiting calendar.

See Case No. 1214855 in NCAA Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.7.6.7 (International Evaluations), 13.1.7.6.8 (National Team Activities and Regional Championships), 13.1.7.15 (Coaches’ Attendance at Elite and Junior Level International Events), and 13.1.7.15.1 (Associated Practices)].

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NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committees -- Football -- Limit on the Number of Preseason Practice Participants – Approved March 13, 2024

At the request of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee (FBSOC) and Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee (FCSOC) Administrative Subcommittee, the NCAA staff issued a blanket waiver to permit Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions to increase the football preseason participant limit from 110 to 120 for the 2024-25 academic year.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. The blanket waiver request was initiated by the FBSOC and FCSOC Administrative Subcommittee;
2. The FBSOC and FCSOC introduced legislation into the pilot legislative process to increase the limit of student-athletes who may engage in practice activities from 110 to 120 and remove the legislation that permits the replacement of a student-athlete;
3. The FBSOC and FCSOC will consider membership feedback received during the March 28 through May 11 initial feedback/comment period and vote during the week of May 12 on whether or not to adopt the legislation, subject to NCAA Division I Council action on June 25-26; and
4. The blanket waiver provides appropriate notice to student-athletes, coaches and administrators preparing for the 2024 fall preseason.

This blanket waiver is effective for the 2024 fall football preseason. Please reference Case No. 1214763 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.11.3.1.2 (limit on number of participants).]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief - Women’s Gymnastics - EVALUATION AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DURING JUNE 2024 DEAD PERIOD - Approved March 12, 2024

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Administrative Committee approved a blanket waiver permitting Division I women’s gymnastics coaches to evaluate prospective student-athletes at an established national championship during the upcoming dead period (June 1-15, 2024).

In granting the request, the Committee for Legislative Relief Administrative Committee noted:

1. Due to the 2024 Olympic Games, women’s gymnastics national championships meets (e.g., United States, Canada, Germany, France) are being held earlier in the year;
2. Division I women’s gymnastics coaches can support current and former student-athletes by attending established national championship meets, which are typically qualifying meets for the 2024 Olympic Games;
3. This blanket waiver does not permit off-campus contact with prospective student-athletes or their family members during an established national championship meet;
4. The blanket waiver request was supported by the Women’s Gymnastics Coaches Association; and
5. The NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee will consider whether a permanent legislative change is necessary.

The blanket waiver is effective during the women’s gymnastics dead period from June 1-15, 2024.

See Case No. 1214033 in NCAA Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.02.5.5 (dead period) and 13.17.13.1.2 (women’s gymnastics)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Blanket Waiver: Baseball 2023-24 Maximum Official Visit Limit – Approved June 27, 2023

At the request of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee, staff approved a blanket waiver request, in baseball, to permit institutions to provide up to 40 official visits during the 2023-24 academic year.

In granting this request, staff noted:

1. This is a one-time waiver request applicable August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024, (2023-24 recruiting cycle) and the committee will continue to engage with the baseball community on a long-term legislative solution;
2. A one-time increase in the institutional official visit limit from 25 to 40 provides institutions additional flexibility to allocate official visits between high school junior, high school senior and transfer prospective student-athletes;
3. The waiver provides similar relief to previous blanket waivers issued, in baseball, following the adoption of NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2017-111, which permitted institutions to provide junior prospective student-athletes official visits in sports other than basketball and football; and
4. The American Baseball Coaches Association supported the blanket waiver request.

See Case No. 1195890 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.6.2.2.2 (baseball official visits)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Blanket Waiver Midyear Replacement of a Student-Athlete Who Graduated Prior to the Previous Academic Year -Approved June 6, 2023

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Administrative Committee approved a blanket waiver in football, women’s volleyball, cross country, field hockey, soccer, track and field and men's water polo for the 2023-24 academic year or until permanent legislation is adopted to permit an institution to replace at midyear the financial aid received by a student-athlete who graduated prior to the previous academic year provided:

1. The replaced student-athlete no longer participates as a member of the team in countable athletically related activities; and
2. In cross country, field hockey, soccer, track and field and men's water polo, the counter who is replaced must have exhausted eligibility and must remain enrolled at the institution.

In granting this request, the Committee for Legislative Relief Administrative Committee noted:

1. The intent of midyear replacement legislation is to allow an institution to provide financial aid to another deserving student-athlete by replacing a graduated student-athlete who will no longer participate as a member of the team;
2. The impact of increased enrollment in summer school and participation in voluntary and required summer athletic activities on student-athlete eligibility and graduation timelines;
3. The impact of the NCAA Division I COVID-19 season of competition and extension of eligibility blanket waivers on student-athlete’s eligibility and graduation timelines; and
4. The blanket waiver provides short-term relief to allow for additional discussion and review of a future legislative solution.

See Case No. 1181380 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 15.5.2.4 (Midyear Replacement -- Women's Volleyball), 15.5.3.1.4 (Midyear Replacement -- Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field and Men's Water Polo) and 15.5.6.3.4 (Midyear Replacement)]

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NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Blanket Waiver Baseball Varsity Squad Size and Annual Counter Limit - Approved March 9, 2023

The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver in baseball, for the 2023-24 academic year, to permit institutions to increase the varsity squad size from 35 to 40 and annual counter limit from 27 to 32.

In granting this request, the Committee for Legislative Relief noted:

1. The significant number of student-athletes returning to participate in Division I baseball due to a combination of unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances which include, but are not limited to:
   1. The recent decrease in the number of opportunities to participate in Major League Baseball including the decrease in the size of the draft from 40 rounds to 20 rounds and the decrease in the number of minor league teams from 162 to 120 which will result in additional student-athletes returning to their respective institutions during the 2023-24 academic year; and
   2. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) indicated general support for a permanent legislative change to the overall roster and counter limits which may be introduced in a future legislative cycle.
2. The additional counters (up to five) must be included in the maximum team equivalency limit (11.7) and must be provided the minimum individual equivalency value (25%); and
3. This is a one-time waiver request for the 2023-24 academic year and the Committee for Legislative Relief encouraged the ABCA to consider recommending legislative proposals for the NCAA Division I Baseball Management Committee to review.

See Case No. 1186880 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 15.5.4 (baseball limitations) and 17.3.8.3 (varsity squad size limitation – championship segment)].