ESPN: SEC Officially Sues Louisiana State University Over Alleged Improper Recruitment of Former Professional Players - NBA News

Sept. 3 news: According to ESPN, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Louisiana State University (LSU) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on Thursday, accusing the school of ignoring the conference's rule prohibiting the signing and use of former NFL players. The SEC believes LSU's actions violated the conference's "expressive association rights" under the First Amendment, meaning the conference has the authority to decide what competitive and eligibility standards its members collectively follow.

The dispute mainly centers on LSU's attempt to allow players who had entered the NFL system, including Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, to return to college competition. The SEC recently made clear that athletes who have signed professional contracts with NFL, NBA, or WNBA teams are prohibited from representing conference schools again, and LSU has continued to challenge this restriction.

In fact, LSU had made a similar attempt in its basketball program. In May this year, the school prepared to sign RJ Lewis, who signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and was later traded to the Boston Celtics. LSU planned to apply for his restoration of NCAA eligibility.

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