SEC and LSU prepare for court hearing over eligibility dispute

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its member schools are preparing for a Thursday hearing in Louisiana that could determine the fate of several former professional football players on LSU's roster. The case stems from a Baton Rouge judge's temporary restraining order, which permits more than 40 athletes, including three ex-NFL players recruited by LSU, to retain eligibility under a recent five-year rule change that excluded the 2022 class.

The SEC, together with the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12, adopted a rule barring professional players from returning to college football and gave commissioner Greg Sankey authority to impose sanctions, including fines up to 50 percent of a program’s operating costs and possible suspension of a head coach. The conference voted 15-0 to adopt the rule, with LSU abstaining.

Athletes' lawyers have added the SEC and Commissioner Sankey to their lawsuit to block enforcement of the new rule. In a statement to CBS Sports, the SEC said it will comply with the restraining order while contesting the allegations at Thursday’s hearing, emphasizing its right to enforce conference policies.

Even if the court upholds the order, SEC officials indicated that additional measures, such as declaring the players ineligible, remain possible. The College Football Playoff is also reportedly considering a ban on schools that field former professionals deemed ineligible under NCAA standards.

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the program will follow SEC guidelines if the court order is reversed, noting ongoing communication with the conference for clarification. Sources said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has been involved in discussions, though his office did not comment.

The outcome of Thursday’s hearing will shape the enforcement of eligibility rules across the SEC and could have broader implications for college football’s postseason structure.