BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WJLX) – As the battle continues over the use of former professional players in college sports, the Southeastern Conference has sued head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU.
According to court documents filed Thursday in the US District Court in Alabama obtained by WJLX, the conference alleges that LSU conducted a “deliberate and coordinated campaign” to recruit pro athletes for the 2026-27 football team.
The lawsuit is asking a federal judge to declare that the conference has a first amendment right to disassociate itself from LSU’s alleged conduct.
The court documents say that LSU President Wade Rousse voted in favor of the of the SEC affirming its policy against having professional athletes on their rosters. The conference then alleges that LSU leadership continued pursuing former pro players anyways.
The issue stems from Lane Kiffin and LSU recruiting former professional and LSU players Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright back to Baton Rouge after the NCAA adopted a new eligibility model allowing athletes five seasons of competition.
In July, a federal judge in Colorado ruled that members of the high school class or 2022 could receive a fifth season of eligibility.
Since then, the SEC, along with other conferences around the country, has issued statements firmly against former pro athletes from playing for college teams. A temporary restraining order issued in East Baton Rouge Parish in August blocked the NCAA or SEC from enforcing eligibility restrictions against the athletes named in the Louisiana lawsuit against the sport’s leadership.
LSU is facing a Friday deadline to turn in its final roster ahead of the Tigers season opener Saturday against Clemson.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.