LSU football Coach Lane Kiffin
BATON ROUGE – The Southeastern Conference is urging a federal judge to keep its lawsuit against Louisiana State University alive, arguing that the university’s decision not to roster two former NFL signees has not resolved a broader dispute over conference rules and the league’s authority to enforce them.
In an October 13 filing, the SEC opposed LSU’s motion to dismiss the case, alleging the university lacks institutional control and continues to challenge the conference’s restrictions on professional athletes. The conference also raised the possibility of expelling LSU, although it said no meeting to terminate the school’s membership is scheduled.
The filing shifts attention beyond the two football players whose recruitment prompted the lawsuit, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, to what the SEC describes as an ongoing challenge to its authority. Both previously played at Ole Miss under Coach Lane Kiffin and spent time with NFL teams before seeking to join him at LSU. Neither ultimately appeared on LSU’s football roster.
“This case addresses a broader dispute,” the SEC said in its filing, alleging LSU’s “complete lack of institutional control” and continued defiance of conference rules. Those allegations have not been established by a court ruling.
The conference cited LSU basketball’s alleged recruitment of RJ Luis Jr., who previously signed two-way NBA contracts, as evidence that the disagreement extends beyond football. LSU basketball coach Will Wade said Tuesday that he had no plans to add Luis and would follow SEC guidelines.
LSU and the other defendants contend the lawsuit should be dismissed because the events the SEC sought to prevent never occurred.
Murrill
In a September 25 dismissal request, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and the other defendants argued that LSU did not roster Wright or Harris, its football roster was full and closed, and a September 10 conference meeting passed without interference or a vote to expel the university.
“The SEC thus faces no imminent, concrete harm that could establish a case or controversy,” Murrill wrote. The defendants sought dismissal with prejudice, which would prevent the conference from simply refiling the same claims.
Regarding Tuesday’s filing, Murrill was blunt.
“The new response by SEC lawyers proves that the commissioner (Greg Sankey) was never acting in good faith,” Murrill said. “LSU has broken no rules, and the case is moot. The lawsuit was garbage from the start and should be dismissed.”
The SEC filed the lawsuit September 3 in the Northern District of Alabama. Its claims center on the First Amendment right of expressive association, including its asserted authority to disassociate from a member whose conduct conflicts with conference rules and purposes without interference from state officials. The case is separate from Louisiana state-court litigation concerning the players’ eligibility.
The conference has withdrawn its pending requests for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction but reserved the right to seek emergency relief later. That withdrawal did not end the underlying lawsuit.
The next issue is whether the dispute remains moot, as LSU argues, or presents an ongoing controversy a federal court can resolve. LSU and the other defendants have until October 20 to file an optional reply before U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon considers the dismissal request.
