The Southeastern Conference has taken its fight with LSU over former professional athletes to federal court, filing a lawsuit Thursday as the legal battle over college eligibility reached a critical point just two days before the Tigers’ season opener against Clemson. On3.com first reported the news late Thursday morning.
The federal filing represents the latest escalation in an increasingly complicated dispute involving LSU, the SEC, the NCAA and a group of athletes seeking to regain college eligibility after participating in professional football.
The conference previously adopted a rule prohibiting athletes who had signed professional contracts, appeared on professional rosters or otherwise crossed certain professional thresholds from returning to SEC competition. The rule also authorized significant penalties against schools and coaches that violated the policy.
The SEC’s presidents and chancellors approved the policy by a 15-0 vote, with LSU abstaining. Potential penalties included a suspension of a head coach for as much as half a season, a fine equal to 50% of a sport’s annual operating budget and the loss of certain conference voting rights.
LSU became the focal point of the dispute after new head coach Lane Kiffin added former professional players to his roster under court orders granting them additional eligibility.
Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris are among the players who have committed to LSU after spending time in the NFL. Former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn also sought to return to Baton Rouge after his professional opportunity ended, although he was claimed off waivers by Kansas City.
The athletes are part of a larger group challenging NCAA eligibility rules that excluded members of the 2022 recruiting class from a new five-year eligibility model.
A Louisiana judge, who previously issued a temporary restraining order preventing the NCAA from enforcing its eligibility restrictions against the athletes involved in the case, ruled in favor of the players Thursday. The original order has been amended to include the SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey, preventing the conference from enforcing its new restrictions against the protected athletes. Sankey took the stand Thursday during the hearing in Baton Rouge but his responses to questioning did not sway Judge William Jorden.
The SEC has maintained that it will comply with court orders while continuing to challenge the underlying claims. Seeking a different result, the scene now will shift to federal court.
The conference argues that allowing former professional athletes to return to college competition creates an unfair competitive advantage and could take roster opportunities away from younger players. Sankey has also argued that the SEC is an independent voluntary association with the authority to establish and enforce rules for its members.
“The SEC is not an agent or functionary of the NCAA,” Sankey said in defending the conference’s position.
The federal lawsuit adds another layer to a legal dispute that is already being fought in state courts in Louisiana and Texas. A Louisiana hearing Thursday is expected to determine whether the temporary protections afforded to the athletes will be extended through a preliminary injunction.
The timing of the federal filing is particularly significant for LSU as the Tigers are scheduled to open the 2026 season at home Saturday night against Clemson.
Kiffin has repeatedly indicated that LSU intends to follow the applicable court orders and has continued preparing the players while the legal process unfolds.
The SEC’s federal action could ultimately determine whether the conference has the authority to enforce its professional-player restriction even when a state court has ordered the NCAA and SEC not to prevent the affected athletes from competing.
