The Southeastern Conference has scheduled a vote for Thursday to determine whether to terminate Louisiana State University’s membership in the conference, escalating a legal and competitive dispute over roster eligibility rules.
The SEC’s legal filing and meeting announcement mark the latest concrete steps in a conflict that began after a Louisiana judge ruled in favor of allowing two former NFL players to join LSU’s football roster. The conference has cited Section 3.1.5 of its Constitution and Bylaws, which grants league presidents authority to take actions including termination of membership. The vote is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2026, according to reports from multiple outlets.
LSU’s inclusion of former NFL players has triggered the SEC’s enforcement action. The conference has long prohibited athletes who have signed professional contracts or appeared on pro rosters from participating in college sports. Two former NFL players—Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris—were cleared by a Louisiana court to join LSU’s roster despite the SEC’s ban. LSU has not yet activated either player in a game.
The SEC filed an amended complaint in federal court on Tuesday, asserting that LSU’s actions violate the conference’s rules and values. The complaint states that forced association with a member whose conduct is "antithetical to the SEC’s mission and core values" violates the conference’s First Amendment rights. The SEC also argues that allowing LSU to retain membership while disregarding league rules could undermine the conference’s authority and legal standing.
SEC officials have emphasized the procedural nature of the vote. The conference has not publicly committed to expelling LSU but has framed the meeting as a necessary step to affirm its enforcement authority. Multiple reports suggest that while the SEC possesses the power to remove LSU, such an action would be unprecedented and highly consequential given LSU’s status as a founding SEC member and one of the conference’s most valuable programs.
LSU joined the SEC in 1932 and has since won four national championships and 12 conference titles. The Tigers are valued at approximately $1.32 billion as of 2026, according to industry estimates. The potential expulsion would result in the loss of revenue, television exposure, and recruiting advantages associated with SEC membership.
The dispute centers on the eligibility of Wright and Harris. Both players signed NFL contracts but did not make active rosters. LSU coach Lane Kiffin has explored avenues to include them on the roster, citing a Louisiana court ruling that deemed them eligible under state law. The SEC maintains that its rules supersede state court decisions and that LSU’s actions disregard conference governance.
The SEC’s legal filing asserts that LSU and its representatives have repeatedly rejected the conference’s core values. The complaint describes the situation as an existential challenge to the SEC’s ability to enforce its rules uniformly across member institutions. The conference has not indicated whether expulsion would be immediate or contingent on further legal developments.
LSU has not publicly commented on the SEC’s filing or the upcoming vote. The university’s athletic department and legal team have not issued statements regarding the potential consequences of the Thursday meeting. The situation remains fluid, with legal and procedural steps still unfolding.
The SEC’s enforcement action reflects broader tensions in college sports over athlete eligibility and conference autonomy. The dispute highlights the growing intersection of legal rulings, conference governance, and institutional power in determining the boundaries of amateurism and professional participation in college athletics.
The outcome of Thursday’s vote could set a precedent for how the SEC and other conferences respond to similar challenges in the future, particularly in cases where state laws conflict with conference rules.