SEC to fight court order that would allow former NFL players to return to college football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WAKA) – The Southeastern Conference says it will fight a Louisiana judge’s order that would allow some former NFL players to return to college football in order to play for LSU.
CBS Sports reports that tonight, the SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey said it will contest the case in a Louisiana courtroom on Thursday morning.
“The order entered against the SEC and Commissioner Sankey is a temporary restraining order, not a final ruling on the merits,” the conference said in a statement. “The SEC and Commissioner Sankey are prepared to contest the allegations in the plaintiffs’ petition at Thursday morning’s hearing and defend the SEC’s rights as a voluntary association to fulfill its mission to its member institutions.”
The conference said it will continue to comply with the order for now and will “carefully review the Court’s decision and determine the appropriate next steps” once the hearing ends.
The SEC appears to be in a direct battle against LSU, one of its member schools. LSU could sign as many as three former NFL players if the court order stands.
The SEC’s presidents and chancellors voted 15-0 last week to ban former pro athletes from returning to college play. LSU abstained from voting. Violators would be punished harshly. Coaches face a half-season suspension and the school could face a fine equal to 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget, along with revoked voting privileges on league business.
Overall, there are dozens of athletes involved in lawsuits regarding their eligibility to return to college sports.
Tony Clayton, an attorney representing the athletes hoping to return to college athletics, told ESPN, “If Sankey shows up, I’d like to hear his argument. What gives him the right to anoint himself God and take these constitutional rights from these kids?”
Not only is the court hearing scheduled for Thursday, but on Friday, LSU has to have its roster set for its season-opening game against Clemson.
The SEC’s punishment for schools that sign former professional players is below:
Following meetings with the Presidents, Chancellors, and Athletics Directors of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC will enforce the following policy: pic.twitter.com/LohWnb7G1J
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 25, 2026
