LSU and Louisiana AG Liz Murrill asked a federal court Friday to dismiss the SEC’s suit, Nakos reported, amid reported settlement talks. The SEC said it was “deeply disappointed” that the filing came amid efforts to address concerns over LSU’s rules and shared governance.
The dispute arose over LSU’s effort to play former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who had signed professional contracts. LSU secured a preliminary injunction in a Louisiana state court blocking the SEC from enforcing its rule barring athletes with professional contracts from returning to college sports. The SEC filed its federal case in Alabama on September 3.
Louisiana’s motion argues that an Alabama court lacks personal jurisdiction over the state and that the SEC suffered no “imminent, concrete harm,” asserting that the two players were never placed on LSU’s roster. It also asks the court to make the SEC pay Louisiana’s legal costs.
