The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has taken the unprecedented step of seeking to remove Louisiana State University (LSU) from the league. In an amended complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, the conference asked a panel of presidents and chancellors to meet Thursday and vote on whether LSU should be expelled.
Why the SEC is moving forward
The SEC says LSU has “demonstrated lack of institutional control at the university level—including complete lack of control over Coach Lane Kiffin’s actions.” The complaint points to a halftime remark by Kiffin during LSU’s 51‑10 win over Clemson, when he said, “Imagine if we had pro players,” referencing the absence of former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who had signed NFL contracts before attempting to return to school.
According to the conference, Kiffin’s comment highlights a stark contrast to the silence of LSU’s president and athletic director, and it underscores what the SEC describes as a breach of Article 6 of its Constitution and other bylaws governing member institutions.
Legal backdrop and recent court action
Last Thursday, U.S. District Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction that cleared the way for Wright and Harris to play for the Tigers, despite their participation in NFL training camps this summer. The injunction also temporarily blocks the SEC and the NCAA from enforcing rules that would otherwise bar the athletes from competing under the new five‑for‑five eligibility system.
Wright, an undrafted free‑agent who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before being claimed and later waived by the Cleveland Browns, and Harris, who signed with the New Orleans Saints before being waived in early August, both played for Kiffin at Ole Miss before joining LSU.
SEC’s proposed penalties and voting requirements
The conference’s constitution requires a two‑thirds majority of all university presidents to approve the termination of a member school’s membership. The SEC also seeks a temporary restraining order to prevent LSU officials from interfering with the Thursday meeting.
In a separate rule, the SEC gave commissioner Greg Sankey authority to punish any school that adds players who have signed NFL contracts to its roster. The prescribed penalties include a half‑season suspension of the head coach and a fine equal to half of the school’s football athletic budget. The conference approved this measure unanimously, 15‑0, with LSU abstaining.
Potential impact on college football
If the vote results in a two‑thirds affirmative, LSU would become the first school ever expelled from the SEC, a move that could reshape the power dynamics of college football’s most lucrative conference. The outcome will also send a clear message about the SEC’s commitment to enforcing its governance standards and protecting the integrity of its competition.
For now, the decision rests with the SEC’s leadership and the collective vote of its member institutions, scheduled for Thursday. The conference has framed the action as necessary to defend its right to govern competition and uphold the core principles that define SEC membership.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
