After the Big Ten recently added penalties for teams that add an athlete who previously played professionally and attempts to return to college, the SEC has now officially announced its own penalties.
The SEC’s penalties include:
- A fine of 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget.
- A half-season suspension for the head coach.
- Revocation of the school’s SEC voting privileges on business matters.
The league retains the right to levy additional penalties through Commissioner Greg Sankey and/or SEC presidents and chancellors, if necessary.
The announcement comes one day after the SEC released guidelines outlining the rules that member universities are expected to follow.
“An SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has: 1. Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA Draft, and did not appropriately withdraw, 2. Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or 3. Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.”
Now, it is a waiting game to see whether the SEC will grant eligibility to Kentucky’s most recent commit, Missouri transfer forward Mark Mitchell. The same uncertainty surrounds Kentucky football linebacker Alex Afari, who is seeking eligibility to return for another season.
Mitchell, of course, played for the Denver Nuggets during the NBA Summer League. However, Mitchell did not sign any type of professional contract.
As for Afari, he signed a deal to participate in the Green Bay Packers’ Rookie Minicamp but was released shortly afterward.
Another concern for Kentucky fans is whether SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey will allow Mitchell to be eligible after he entered the transfer portal outside of the NCAA’s designated transfer window.
Mitchell entered the portal after receiving a TRO against the NCAA, but the SEC has an intraconference transfer rule, where players cannot enter the portal unless they are in the transfer portal window.
Kentucky could also be impacted by the SEC’s new policy when it comes to future roster additions.
Will Stein and his staff were pursuing former SMU running back TJ Harden, who was recently released by the Seattle Seahawks. Harden finished his collegiate career in 2025 and is seeking a potential fifth year.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Harden was down to Missouri and Kentucky. However, with the SEC’s new ruling, Harden may now have to reconsider his options.
