NCAA Council Meeting: New Transfer Portal Rules, Class Size Cap Removed

Written by Ethan Roberts

The NCAA Division I council met for two days this week and came away with several new rulings, most notably revised transfer windows for football and basketball athletes, and unofficial visit prohibitions.

The post-season transfer window will allow athletes to enter the transfer portal up to 45 days after the end of the season, down from 60 days previously. The 15-day spring window is expected to remain the same.

The NCAA statement noted that the first post-season window will last for 30 days starting on Monday after the conference championship games and players in the College Football Playoffs will have an additional 5-day window in January. The 15-day window in spring will begin in April.

“The Division I Student-Advisory Committee supported 45-day windows as preferable to previously introduced 30-day windows.” The NCAA statement said.

Another ruling change by the NCAA is the removal of class size caps for FBS schools. The original cap was set at 25 athletes. The original cap was temporarily lifted due to COVID-19 uncertainties. It will now become permanent.

The council also noted several changes for Division I membership requirements.

“Eliminate attendance requirements at FBS schools,” The statement said. “Increase the application fee for transitioning from FCS to FBS from $5,000 to $5 million.”

The statement also noted that all FBS programs must provide 90% of the total number of allowable scholarships over a two-year rolling period across 16 sports.