SEC Schedules Vote on Ousting LSU From Conference
The SEC filed an amended complaint in Alabama federal court Tuesday, scheduling a Thursday meeting to decide whether to terminate LSU's membership over the school's pursuit of former NFL players.
- 2/3 of all SEC chief executive officers must vote yes to expel LSU.
- 15 SEC presidents voted 15-0 for new penalties; LSU's Wade Rousse abstained.
- SEC penalties include fines up to half a sport's revenues and half-season coach suspensions.
- Lane Kiffin did not roster Dae'Quan Wright or Zxavian Harris for Saturday's 51-10 win over Clemson.
Why it matters: The SEC argues LSU has shown a lack of institutional control, citing coach Lane Kiffin's conduct and the silence of the school's president and athletic director.
- The amended complaint cites Kiffin's halftime comment — "Imagine if we had pro players" — as evidence of that control failure.
- A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing Wright and Harris to play; the SEC's federal case in Alabama is its primary avenue to override that ruling.
How 26 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether a conference can bar former professional players from college rosters and punish a school for pursuing them, or whether courts and state law protect the athletes' right to play.
Center coverage, 15 sources: The center treats the expulsion meeting as a major procedural development, noting uncertainty about whether the vote is a genuine threat or a tactical pressure move against Kiffin and LSU.
Heavy2hLSU Could Make This Decision After SEC Vote, Odds Show
USA Today6hLSU must take its SEC punishment. Or take a hike | Opinion
Associated Press7hSoutheastern Conference leaders to discuss kicking LSU out of league over player eligibility dispute
Axios6hLSU could get booted from the SEC
Chicago Tribune7hSEC leaders will discuss kicking out LSU over player eligibility dispute
ESPN8hSEC files amendment for authority to expel LSUKAKXAN Austin5hSEC without LSU? Conference leaders consider booting Tigers from league
Newsweek6hSEC takes first step toward potentially banning LSU from conferencePenPennLive8hSEC files amendment for authority to expel LSU from league
Reuters7hSEC schedules vote on ousting LSU from conferenceSNScripps News7hSEC considers proposal that could remove LSU from conferenceTNDThe National Desk4hSEC leadership to discuss LSU's potential conference removal amid NFL player disputeLeft coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the story around the threat to LSU's conference standing and the escalating legal fight, with emphasis on the players' perspective and the state court ruling that had cleared them to play.
Right coverage, 8 sources: The right focuses on the SEC's frustration with Kiffin's conduct and LSU's alleged lack of institutional control, framing the conference's action as a direct response to the coach operating without oversight.
Fox News1hEx-NFL star Shawne Merriman gives take on pro players trying to return to college: 'Pretty ridiculous'
Daily Mail8hLSU could be EXPELLED from SEC as conference steps up legal fight... and uses Lane Kiffin interview as evidence
Breitbart News7hSEC Files Federal Lawsuit Seeking Authority to Expel LSU from Conference
New York Post7hSEC threatening to kick LSU out as eligibility drama intensifies
Newsmax7hLSU Could Get Boot From SEC in Player Dispute
One America News14hSoutheastern Conference leaders to discuss kicking LSU out of league over player eligibility dispute
The Daily Caller5hPower Conference Looking To Potentially Expel Iconic University
The Western Journal14hBreaking: SEC Asks Court for Authority to Kick LSU Out of ConferenceWhat’s next: The special SEC meeting is set for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.
- LSU spokesman Zach Labbe said the school had no comment.
- Would enough SEC presidents actually vote to expel LSU, or is the threat leverage to force the school to drop the players?
- If LSU is expelled, where would it compete, and what would happen to its existing conference contracts and bowl agreements?
- How will federal courts in Alabama rule on the SEC's underlying First Amendment claim against LSU and state actors?