SEC files federal lawsuit to block LSU's recruitment of former NFL players
The SEC sued Louisiana State University and head coach Lane Kiffin in federal court, seeking to prevent the school from adding athletes who were on NFL 90-man rosters for the 2026-27 season.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against Louisiana State University, its football coach Lane Kiffin, and other parties. The suit alleges that LSU and Kiffan "waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes to play football for LSU during the 2026-27 season, including players who had signed NFL contracts with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers," according to a filing obtained by Front Office Sports.
The federal action follows a recent state-court case that revived a temporary restraining order allowing LSU to add former NFL players to its roster. The SEC’s filing seeks to block that effort, arguing that the recruitment violates NCAA rules and undermines the integrity of college football.
The lawsuit mirrors a recent Big 12 case in which a federal filing led Texas Tech to drop plans to field quarterback Brendan Sorsby after he obtained an injunction against an NCAA gambling suspension. Both cases reflect ongoing legal disputes over the eligibility of athletes with professional experience.
College football officials have indicated that the litigation could influence pending legislative proposals, such as the Protect College Sports Act, which aims to address eligibility and compensation issues in the sport.