SEC Files Brief to Defend 50% Budget Penalties on Schools Adding Ex-NFL Players
Updated
Updated · NOLA.com · Sep 2
SEC Files Brief to Defend 50% Budget Penalties on Schools Adding Ex-NFL Players
3 articles · Updated · NOLA.com · Sep 2
Summary
Wednesday’s filing asks a Baton Rouge court to let the SEC enforce sanctions on schools and coaches that roster former pro players seeking a fifth college season, ahead of a Thursday injunction hearing.
The league argues it is not an NCAA “functionary” and that Louisiana courts should not interfere with a private association’s internal rules, framing the dispute as conference self-governance rather than broad eligibility policy.
Those sanctions—adopted in a 15-0 vote with LSU abstaining—include a fine equal to 50% of a sport’s budget, a half-season coach suspension and loss of school voting privileges.
The fight escalated after a mid-August temporary restraining order let 30-plus athletes from the Class of 2022 pursue another season, including players who had signed NFL contracts.
LSU has become the flashpoint before Saturday’s Clemson opener, with commitments from former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, while commissioner Greg Sankey may testify in person Thursday.