LSU’s battle over returning professional athletes has become a confrontation over conference membership.

According to September 8 reporting from The Associated Press and Field Level Media, SEC presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet Thursday, September 10, to consider removing LSU. The conference has also amended its federal lawsuit and requested an order preventing the university from interfering with that meeting.

As of those reports, LSU has not been expelled. The meeting places that possibility before conference leaders, but its outcome remains uncertain.

How the Dispute Started

The eligibility fight includes tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris. Both previously played for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss and signed NFL contracts before seeking another college season.

Their circumstances matter. This controversy involves players whose professional opportunities included NFL training camps. Calling someone a former NFL player does not, by itself, establish that he appeared in a regular-season NFL game.

The athletes’ case centers on changes to college eligibility rules. They argue that they made decisions about professional football without knowing that another college season might become available.

On September 3, Louisiana Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction allowing affected athletes a path back to college competition. Reporting on the order said it also protected schools from SEC and NCAA penalties for adding the players covered by the case.

What the Court Order Means

A preliminary injunction is an order that provides protection while a lawsuit continues. It can prevent a challenged restriction from being enforced before the court reaches a final decision.

That gives the athletes meaningful protection, but it does not permanently settle every issue. The scope of an injunction matters: who it covers, what actions it prohibits and whether another court changes it.

For readers, the distinction is between temporary legal relief and a final victory. A player can obtain protection during litigation while the underlying dispute remains unresolved.

Why the SEC Filed Its Own Lawsuit

The SEC’s federal lawsuit argues that LSU is violating the conference’s First Amendment right of expressive association by disregarding its restrictions on professional athletes returning to college competition.

In plain language, the conference claims that its members have organized around shared principles and should be able to enforce them. It views the boundary between college and professional sports as part of its purpose.

That remains a legal argument advanced by the SEC. Filing a complaint does not establish that its allegations are true or that the requested remedy is lawful.

The LSU side of the controversy raises a competing concern: how should a university respond when athletes obtain court protection that conflicts with a conference’s position? Supporting those athletes and determining the limits of conference authority are questions that deserve judicial consideration.

What Thursday’s Meeting Could Do

Published reports say expulsion requires approval from at least two-thirds of the conference’s university leaders. It is therefore a membership decision involving presidents and chancellors, rather than something the commissioner can impose alone.

The SEC has requested a temporary restraining order to protect the meeting from interference. A temporary restraining order is a short-term court measure intended to prevent harm while a court considers further action.

A request for an order is not the same as an order being granted. Likewise, holding a meeting does not guarantee that an expulsion motion will pass.

Why This Reaches Beyond Two Players

Wright and Harris were not included on LSU’s roster for the Clemson opener. The confrontation therefore concerns more than their participation in one game. It involves future roster decisions and the relationship between court protections and conference rules.

A potential separation would also reach beyond football. Depending on its terms, it could raise questions about schedules, conference championships, financial arrangements and other LSU sports. The available reporting does not establish how those issues would be resolved.

For LSU, the stakes are especially significant because the university has been part of the SEC since the conference began in 1933.

What Fans Should Watch Next

The most important developments are the court’s response to the SEC’s request, whether Thursday’s meeting proceeds and what conference leaders actually decide. Any subsequent statement from LSU would also help clarify the university’s position.

There is not enough verified information to declare expulsion inevitable or dismiss the threat as a bluff. Predictions about the vote should remain clearly separate from confirmed events.

LSU’s supporters can defend the university’s willingness to pursue opportunities for athletes while recognizing that the legal questions remain unsettled. A conference rule, a court order and a membership vote each have different functions. Understanding those differences is essential to understanding what happens next.

Sources

1. Associated Press. “Southeastern Conference leaders to discuss kicking LSU out of league over player eligibility dispute.” September 8, 2026. Report.
2. Field Level Media, via Reuters. “SEC schedules vote on ousting LSU from conference.” September 8, 2026. Report.
3. Field Level Media, via Reuters. “SEC sues LSU to block use of former NFL players.” September 3, 2026. Report.
4. Field Level Media, via Reuters. “Louisiana judge rules returning pros NCAA-eligible in injunction.” September 4, 2026. Report.
5. Associated Press. “Louisiana judge rules against NCAA, clearing path for former NFL players to join LSU roster.” September 3, 2026. Report.
6. Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute. “Preliminary injunction” and “Temporary restraining order.” Preliminary injunction; temporary restraining order.