SEC adopts penalties for schools that sign former professional athletes, LSU abstains

SEC university presidents approved a set of sanctions aimed at deterring member schools from signing athletes who have previously played professionally. The penalties, which mirror those the NCAA uses for "ghost transfers," include a half-season suspension for the head coach, a fine equal to 50 percent of the sport’s operating budget for the fiscal year, loss of voting rights on conference matters, and any additional measures the commissioner and presidents deem necessary. Commissioner Greg Sankey was given authority to enforce the rules.

Louisiana State University did not vote on the measures, according to an anonymous source familiar with the proceedings. The school had previously joined a unanimous vote to enforce bans on fielding former professional players. LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has recruited at least two athletes who were cleared to return to NCAA competition by a Louisiana court injunction, and men’s basketball coach Will Wade has pursued another such player. Neither coach, nor LSU officials, have commented publicly.

The SEC’s decision follows a similar move by the Big Ten, which also voted against allowing former professionals to rejoin its rosters. The issue arises after several state courts issued injunctions permitting fifth-year players to return to college, a development that the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule does not fully address. Lawyers for the athletes argue that the injunctions give players the right to return, even after signing professional contracts, but the SEC and Big Ten contend that the rulings do not apply to conference regulations.

No legal action has been filed against the SEC, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has not become involved. SEC presidents and athletic directors concluded their scheduled meetings in Birmingham, Alabama, without further comment.