Over the past 24 hours, LSU has surrendered its position against the SEC over signing players previously listed on NFL preseason rosters. In doing so, it appears to have avoided the nuclear option the conference threatened earlier this week: expelling the Tigers from the conference altogether. But the terms of LSU’s surrender have not been finalized.
The SEC was scheduled to hold a call of university presidents on Thursday that, according to court documents, would include a vote on whether to kick LSU out of the conference. But at the conclusion of the virtual gathering that day, the SEC released a statement that did not mention any specific penalties against LSU. The conference did not confirm whether a formal vote took place, but the implication is that LSU will remain a member of the conference while the SEC continues to consider sanctions.
“The presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference met Thursday by videoconference to discuss recent matters involving conference expectations and responsibilities,” the SEC said. “Those discussions will continue as the conference and its member universities work toward an appropriate resolution.”
The ongoing dispute has been the focus of the college sports world as the SEC attempts to answer an existential question: whether a conference can successfully and legally enforce rules against member schools. The answer to that question has never been more important to administrators, given that the NCAA has been hamstrung by lawsuits and Congress may not have time (or enough support) to pass the Protect College Sports Act.
