Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr urged Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Greg Sankey to suspend or remove Louisiana State University (LSU) if the Tigers roster players who signed professional contracts before returning to college.
In a letter obtained by ESPN, Carr said his office could use “all legal means necessary” to protect the University of Georgia, student-athletes and college athletics. He argued conference rules cannot be twisted for one coach or program.
The dispute centers on former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who followed coach Lane Kiffin to LSU after brief National Football League (NFL) stints. Cleveland waived Wright, while New Orleans released Harris.
The players challenged their exclusion from the age-based eligibility model adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which may give Division I athletes up to five years. A Louisiana judge granted a preliminary injunction Thursday covering Wright, Harris and 40 others, temporarily blocking the NCAA and SEC from punishing schools that roster them.
SEC presidents and chancellors adopted a standard barring athletes who signed professional contracts. Potential penalties include a half-season coaching suspension, loss of conference voting rights and a fine equal to half the sport’s annual operating budget. LSU abstained on the penalties vote.
The SEC sued LSU in federal court Thursday, arguing the school is violating the conference’s First Amendment associational rights and blurring the line between college and professional sports. LSU President Wade Rousse said the university would review the orders and work with the SEC and NCAA.
Carr says LSU should not retain conference benefits while defying its obligations. Louisiana officials and the athletes counter that changing NCAA rules unfairly excluded players who turned professional only after being told their college eligibility was finished.
The dispute tests whether courts or conferences set college eligibility rules.
