SEC disputes court ruling allowing former professional players to join LSU

A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction on September 3, 2026, preventing the SEC and NCAA from sanctioning LSU for rostering former professional players. The court ruling specifically allows tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris to participate in the upcoming season after being waived from NFL training camps. The SEC maintains that its member universities unanimously adopted a standard prohibiting former professional athletes on team rosters to ensure fair competition. Following the ruling, the conference issued a statement confirming its disagreement with the court's decision and announced plans to appeal. The SEC previously established a disciplinary framework for violations, which included potential coach suspensions, financial penalties, and the revocation of voting privileges for schools. The dispute continues as the conference seeks to uphold its governance authority over member institutions despite the legal intervention.

• 3:05 AMYahoo Sports — SEC statement after losing LSU hearing: Expects schools to follow rules
• 2:53 AMYahoo Sports — SEC: We disagree with the court's decision, expect our rules to be followed