Judge Blocks SEC From Enforcing New Penalties on Teams Using Former NFL-Signed Players

A Louisiana state judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday that bars the SEC and its commissioner, Greg Sankey, from imposing penalties on schools that field college-football players who have previously signed contracts with NFL, NBA or WNBA teams. The order also includes a show-cause requirement compelling the SEC and the NCAA to explain why their newly adopted rule would not violate the judge’s earlier ruling.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports ESPN

The dispute stems from the NCAA’s eligibility change approved in June, which shifted to a five-season-in-five-years model. The change left a cohort of seniors—who had completed four seasons under the prior system—without an extra year of eligibility. More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed challenging the NCAA’s application of the old rules to these athletes.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

The SEC responded by unanimously adopting a policy that would suspend a head coach for half a season and fine a school up to 50 % of its annual operating budget if it used a player with professional ties. The rule was motivated by cases such as former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, both of whom left NFL training camps and announced plans to join LSU under coach Lane Kiffin.

ESPN

• June – NCAA board adopts the five-season eligibility framework.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

• Early week – SEC presidents vote 15-0 to adopt the new professional-athlete rule; LSU’s leaders abstain.

ESPN

• Friday – Louisiana judge signs the temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the SEC rule and issues a show-cause order.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

• Thursday (upcoming) – Court hearing scheduled in Baton Rouge to address the SEC and NCAA’s justification for the rule.

ESPN

• Upcoming season opener – LSU prepares to face Clemson while the legal battle remains unresolved.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

• 42 athletes are listed as plaintiffs in the Louisiana case.

ESPN

• The SEC’s proposed fine would equal 50 % of a school’s annual operating budget.

ESPN

• The conference’s sanction for a head coach would be a half-season suspension.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

• An SEC spokesperson declined to comment on the Friday ruling.

Louisiana judge blocks SEC from punishing schools that use players with NFL ties this year – Crescent City Sports

• The NCAA has appealed multiple court orders that have temporarily allowed former professionals to return, successfully overturning three such orders in the past week.

ESPN

• Attorney Tony Clayton, representing the athletes, described the SEC’s rule as “draconian” and questioned the conference’s authority to restrict players’ constitutional rights.

ESPN

• Co-counsel Ryan Downton argued that the SEC is acting in concert with the NCAA to circumvent the judge’s initial order.

ESPN

• “If Sankey shows up, I'd like to hear his argument,” — Tony Clayton, attorney for the athletes

ESPN

• “The SEC is acting in concert with the NCAA,” — Ryan Downton, co-counsel for the athletes

ESPN

The next court hearing is set for Thursday in Baton Rouge, where the SEC and NCAA must explain why their professional-athlete policy does not violate the judge’s earlier order. The outcome will determine whether SEC schools can field players who have briefly signed professional contracts before the start of the 2026 season.

ESPN