SEC to defend rights at hearing over professional athlete eligibility

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Commissioner Greg Sankey are preparing to defend their rights at a hearing in Louisiana this Thursday. The legal dispute involves a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prevents the conference from penalizing schools that field football players who have previously signed professional contracts with the NFL, NBA, or WNBA.

A Louisiana District Court judge recently expanded the TRO to include the SEC and its commissioner after the league announced plans to punish member institutions. Proposed SEC penalties for teams using such players include suspending coaches for half a season, imposing fines equal to 50% of a sport’s annual operating budget, and revoking league voting rights.

The case was brought by more than 30 athletes, including several linked to LSU, who argue they should be eligible for college competition following NCAA rule changes regarding fifth-year eligibility. The upcoming hearing will determine whether the current TRO will be converted into a preliminary injunction or if the order will be stayed.