For anyone who thought football was going to assuage the constant grappling for power between the SEC and its charter members, it's time to let that dream die.
The same day the SEC sued LSU and its coach Lane Kiffin, a preliminary injunction was issued against the conference in Louisiana on Sept. 3 by Judge William Jorden.
The order undermines the conference's efforts to punish teams rostering player who participated in NFL camps, and clears the way for LSU to add tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris.
To be more specific, the ruling from Jorden prevents LSU, the SEC, or the NCAA from taking action against the players returning to college.
SEC statement on Louisiana court ruling
"We disagree with the court's
decision," the conference said in a statement.
"The SEC's presidents and chancellors unanimously adopted a clear and reasonable standard: Member universities should not place former professional athletes on their rosters. The conference and its member universities have the right to establish, through agreed-upon governance procedures, the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed.
"The SEC will continue to defend this standard, the principle of fair competition, and the conference's authority to govern competition among its member universities."
Statement from the Southeastern Conference on ruling in today’s preliminary hearing: pic.twitter.com/MBQ9g9xYIJ
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 4, 2026
SEC proposed penalties for playing former pro athletes
The SEC was going to steeply punish any program playing a player who was previously on a pro roster. Those penalties include, but are not limited to, sanctioning a head coach with suspension, fining the institution's specific program in violation of SEC policy and also revoking the school's voting privileges on member matters.
While it was initially reported all 16 members voted in favor of the proposed sanctions, it was later uncovered LSU abstained from the vote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC statement after losing LSU hearing: Expects schools to follow rules
