SEC (It just means more.. even its losses are wins)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 2882 Replies
SEC files suit vs. LSU over school's intent to play pro athletes
The SEC sued LSU in U.S. District Court in Alabama on Thursday, alleging the university is violating the league's First Amendment right of expressive association by ignoring SEC rules that prohibit signing and playing former NFL players.The lawsuit, which also names the LSU board of supervisors, LSU president Wade Rousse, athletics director Verge Ausberry and football coach Lane Kiffin as defendants, was filed while SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and others testified during a separate injunction hearing in a state court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
During Sankey's testimony in the state court hearing, one of the plaintiff's attorneys brought up the newly filed federal lawsuit. The revelation sent a buzz through the packed courtroom, as few people were aware of the new development until it was mentioned.
The lawsuit was filed just after midnight on Thursday morning, not during the hearing.
"The SEC has endured and thrived for nearly a century because its members have adhered to that common set of rules, which each member institution, and every coach at those institutions, has agreed to follow," the SEC's federal lawsuit said. "Among the most fundamental of those rules are the longstanding provisions that prohibit individuals who have entered a professional draft, signed professional contracts, or been rostered on a professional athletics team from returning to compete in college athletics (the "Professionalism Rules").
"These rules are built upon an essential principle: college athletics is reserved for students who are actively pursuing an education while competing for their universities. The Professionalism Rules preserve competitive fairness, protect opportunities for high school students and current college athletes, and maintain the distinction between college and professional sports."
The SEC is asking the federal court for a preliminary and permanent injunction "prohibiting the defendants from violating the conference's First Amendment rights by compelling the conference to associate with conduct that is contrary to the Conference's purpose and mission," and a preliminary and permanent injunction "barring Defendants from seeking to deter, coerce, prevent, or punish the Conference for exercising its First Amendment rights."
The lawsuit said the distinction between playing amateur and professional athletes is "critical" to the SEC's structure and governance.
.
.
.
continued
Upvote
0
