LSU avoids SEC sanctions after expulsion meeting — SkimNews
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- SEC presidents and chancellors held a Thursday videoconference on LSU's conduct and ended the meeting without imposing any sanctions, with the conference saying "discussions will continue" toward "an appropriate resolution."
- Court records had indicated the meeting would "decide whether to terminate Louisiana State University," but the conference's official statement reframed the call as one about "conference expectations and responsibilities" instead of expulsion.
- LSU president Wade Rousse wrote SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Wednesday that the Tigers had complied with conference rules by not rostering former NFL rookies Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, calling the issue "moot," per the source.
- Rousse joined Thursday's call only briefly, telling participants he was advised by counsel not to participate in light of the pending federal litigation naming him and LSU as defendants, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
- The SEC sued LSU in U.S. District Court in Alabama last week, alleging the university violated the league's First Amendment right of expressive association by ignoring rules that prohibit signing and playing former NFL players.
- A Louisiana judge had separately ordered Wright and Harris cleared to return for a fifth college year and transfer to LSU despite earlier signing with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.
- LSU added two other players Tuesday to complete its 105-man roster for the 2026 season, eliminating any path for Wright and Harris, whose attorney Ryan Downton said they are considering their legal options.
Why it matters: The SEC's decision to hold off on sanctions preserves LSU's membership but leaves the underlying First Amendment lawsuit active in U.S. District Court in Alabama, where the league is arguing it can bar former pros from college rosters. Wright and Harris's attorney said the two former NFL rookies are weighing further legal options.
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