SEC prepares legal fight against rostering ex-professional athletes

The Southeastern Conference is challenging a Louisiana court order that prevents the league from penalizing member schools for rostering former professional athletes. While a temporary restraining order currently bars the SEC from enforcing its new policy against such rosters, officials maintain the conference intends to fight the matter in court on September 3. Despite the legal standoff, the SEC remains in contact with member institutions regarding compliance with conference rules. LSU’s women’s soccer program fielded two players with professional experience during a recent match against Arizona, marking the first action involving such athletes since the court ruling. Conference bylaws grant commissioner Greg Sankey broad authority to impose retroactive financial or team-based penalties if the league prevails in its legal challenge. The situation also affects potential roster additions for other sports, including basketball programs at Missouri and LSU.

• 8:41 PMYahoo Sports — SEC's lack of words not inaction regarding punishment of schools for playing pros