SEC To Vote on Potential LSU Expulsion

The SEC has amended its federal lawsuit against LSU as the conference seeks legal authority to potentially expel the school amid an ongoing dispute over LSU’s attempt to add former NFL players to its football roster.

According to the amended complaint, SEC presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet Thursday to decide whether to terminate LSU’s conference membership. Expelling LSU would require approval from at least two-thirds of the conference presidents.

Despite the scheduled vote, ESPN reports that the SEC is not currently expected to remove LSU from the conference. The latest filing instead represents another major escalation in the legal battle between the two sides.

The dispute centers around LSU players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who signed NFL contracts this offseason before attempting to return to college football. Both are currently enrolled at LSU and have practiced with the Tigers, but neither was placed on the roster for LSU’s season-opening win over Clemson.

SEC rules prohibit players who have signed professional contracts from returning to compete in the conference. LSU, however, received a favorable ruling in Louisiana state court that opened a path for Wright and Harris to play this season.

The SEC is now seeking a temporary restraining order in federal court as it attempts to preserve its ability to enforce its own eligibility rules.

“The SEC and its member universities have the right to establish, through agreed-upon governance procedures, the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed,” the conference said.

The SEC’s amended complaint also cited comments made by LSU HC Lane Kiffin during Saturday’s 51-10 win over Clemson.

“Imagine if we had pro players,” Kiffin said at halftime.

The conference argues that Kiffin’s comments, along with his postgame remarks regarding the eligibility dispute, further demonstrate LSU’s disagreement with the SEC’s rules.

The legal fight originally began after athletes sought an additional year of college eligibility in Louisiana state court. Wright and Harris were among those attempting to return to college after spending time with NFL teams this offseason.

LSU ultimately kept both players out of its season opener, but the larger eligibility dispute remains unresolved.

Now, the situation has reached the point where LSU’s membership in the SEC will formally be discussed Thursday, although the conference is reportedly not expected to follow through with expulsion.