{ "story_id": "8769d4800f6cb606c05179301264fd5b", "desk": "drm3", "revision": 1, "published_at": "2026-09-04T01:33:07.000Z", "content_hash": "7fa93748dce0c95141d70cc3a8f5b786b8f30d2b103ecd15d3313bf8618fb0d5", "hash_basis": "sha256 over `headline\\ndek\\nprose`, plus `\\n` + the canonical citations JSON when any source is placed, plus `\\n#blog` for blogs", "basis": { "headline": "SEC Commissioner Sankey Faces Court Over NCAA Eligibility Rules for Ex-Pro Athletes", "dek": "SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey testifies in court regarding NCAA eligibility rules for former professional athletes.", "prose": "Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared in court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to defend the conference's right to enforce eligibility rules regarding former professional athletes. [^1]\n\nThe Southeastern Conference filed a lawsuit against LSU, president Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry, and head coach Lane Kiffin regarding the program's plan to recruit former NFL players. [^2]\n\nA Louisiana judge ruled in favor of LSU in a hearing on Thursday regarding the eligibility of former professional athletes. [^3]\n\nEast Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden scheduled a hearing concerning the status of a temporary injunction preventing the NCAA from ruling recent former pros ineligible. [^4]\n\nFormer New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright are among the athletes seeking a ruling to allow them to play college football after turning pro. [^5]\n\nThe SEC filed a brief stating the question before the judge should be narrow regarding whether the conference can enforce and require its member institutions to comply with SEC rules. [^6]\n\nThe SEC alleged that defendants waged a deliberate campaign to recruit Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright, who signed with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns respectively, to play for LSU in the 2026-27 season. [^7]\n\nThe SEC lawsuit names LSU, Rousse, Ausberry, and Kiffin as defendants and requests a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop them from recruiting players who signed with NFL teams. [^8]\n\nGeorgia Attorney General Chris Carr called on SEC member institutions to take matters into their own hands, including suspension or expulsion, if LSU allows former professional athletes to play. [^9]\n\nThe preliminary injunction allows LSU to bring former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris back to the college ranks without the SEC enforcing its ban. [^10]\n\nSEC Commissioner Sankey is expected to testify on Thursday in Baton Rouge to defend the conference's right to enforce protocols prohibiting athletes who have been on professional rosters from returning to college. [^11]\n\nLawyers for affected athletes added the SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey to lawsuits after the conference unanimously approved a ban on former professional athletes. 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