The SEC dared LSU to play what it considers ineligible players before the Tigers' season opener.
Now, the conference is making clear just how seriously it views the dispute.
In an amended complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, the SEC argues it has the authority to remove LSU from the conference it helped found in 1933.
The filing cites the SEC Constitution, which grants the conference's chief executive officers "plenary power and authority with respect to all affairs of the Conference of any type or nature whatsoever," including the authority to take actions outlined in Article 3 at their "sole discretion."
Put simply: The SEC
is laying out a path that could lead to LSU's expulsion from the conference.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to LSU athletics for comment.
The SEC's latest filing asks the court to prevent LSU and other defendants from interfering with actions that could be considered at a properly noticed special meeting of conference leaders scheduled for Sept. 10, including any decision to terminate LSU's membership.
The amended complaint expands on the league's original Sept. 3 filing, which coincided with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey's appearance in a Baton Rouge courtroom. In it, the SEC specifically cites Section 3.1.5 of its constitution.
"Forced association with a member whose conduct is antithetical to the SEC's mission and core values violates the Conference's fundamental First Amendment rights," the filing states.
"Forced association with a member whose conduct is antithetical to the SEC's mission and core values violates the Conference's fundamental First Amendment rights," the filing states. "LSU has rejected those core values repeatedly and publicly. An injunction is necessary to prevent the irreparable harm that the SEC will suffer if it cannot remove a member to avoid association of the Conference's name, brand, championships, and media properties with conduct and views that the Conference and its member institutions have condemned for decades."
The conference goes on to argue that LSU has "rejected those core values repeatedly and publicly" and that it would suffer irreparable harm if prevented from distancing itself from conduct the league and its member institutions have long condemned.
"Defendants should accordingly be enjoined from taking any action that would prevent the SEC from disassociating itself from a member based on such conduct," the filing states.
Despite LSU's win in a Baton Rouge courtroom, NFL camp participants Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were not submitted on LSU's Week 1 roster ahead of the Tigers' win over Clemson after being granted a preliminary injunction by a Louisiana judge on Sept. 3.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin made an appearance on ESPN's 'College GameDay' and explained the decision to leave Wright and Harris off the roster for now.
"That wasn't easy. As much as I feel for the players, and I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe that these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country who are winning court cases and being put on rosters," Kiffin said. "But at the same time, I'm the head coach of LSU and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture for LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster."
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC says it can expel LSU as legal battle over Tigers' roster escalates
