Louisiana State University (LSU) abandoned its attempt to add former Ole Miss players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its roster after a standoff with the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which had threatened expulsion over the move.
LSU reversed course on August 17 following a legal review prompted by the SEC’s intervention, according to attorney Tom Mars, a friend of LSU head coach Lane Kiffin. Mars disclosed that Kiffin had repeatedly cited ChatGPT-generated legal advice to justify the additions, despite Mars’ warnings that the AI tool’s responses were inaccurate.
Kiffin’s reliance on ChatGPT emerged as the central factor in the dispute, with Mars stating that Kiffin would respond to concerns by sharing screenshots from the AI tool that supported LSU’s position. Mars ultimately urged Kiffin to consult a licensed attorney, noting his $91 million contract warranted professional legal counsel.
The controversy began when LSU sought to enroll Wright and Harris, both of whom had signed NFL contracts. The SEC intervened, arguing the move violated conference rules. The standoff escalated to the point where the SEC considered expelling LSU from the conference, according to court filings. LSU’s decision to back down averted the expulsion vote, which had been scheduled for August 18.
LSU’s reversal came after Mars’ intervention, which included direct criticism of Kiffin’s use of AI for legal decisions. Mars told ESPN that Kiffin’s reliance on ChatGPT was a key factor in the delay, as the coach dismissed his unsolicited advice in favor of AI-generated responses.
The Tigers, currently ranked No. 7 in the country, are set to face No. 8 Ole Miss on Saturday. Kiffin, who previously coached at Ole Miss before leaving to join LSU, will return to Oxford for the matchup. The game is widely anticipated as a potential preview of a national championship contender, with LSU’s roster unaffected by the failed additions.
SEC officials had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the resolution or the league’s enforcement actions. The conference’s initial stance framed the additions as a violation of its policies, though no formal sanctions were imposed beyond the expulsion threat.
Kiffin’s decision to abandon the pursuit of Wright and Harris followed Mars’ recommendation to hire a real lawyer, which Mars described as a necessary step given the potential consequences of the move. The attorney’s involvement underscored the legal risks of relying on AI for complex regulatory decisions.
LSU’s athletic department has not issued a public statement addressing the incident or the role of AI in the decision-making process. The Tigers remain focused on their season, with the controversial episode now closed.