Overview
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville unveiled the Student Athlete Act of 2026, which would allow one penalty‑free transfer and require a year on the sideline after a second move, with limited waivers for hardships.
- The bill sets a hard cap of five consecutive years of eligibility and directs the NCAA to administer transfer waivers tied to documented circumstances such as a death or terminal illness in the family.
- The proposal includes a narrow antitrust exemption so the NCAA can enforce transfer and waiver rules without Sherman Act liability and would override conflicting state laws to create one national standard.
- Urban Meyer voiced support for the one‑time transfer limit, and Tuberville said he discussed the plan with President Donald Trump, while OutKick reported the president is exploring an executive order on NIL and transfers.
- The push follows a 2024 settlement that allowed unlimited transfers; Tuberville argues portal churn has surged, citing more than 10,000 football entries in 2026, as DOJ antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter has warned against unfair limits on athlete movement and ClutchPoints reports the bill’s odds are low.