It looks like LSU might be staying in the SEC after all.
Conference presidents met Thursday to discuss sanctions for the Baton Rouge powerhouse, up to and including expulsion from the conference after Lane Kiffin and the Tigers moved to add former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to the roster.
But when LSU backed away from activating the players, so too did the conference back away from its threats.
“The presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference met Thursday by videoconference to discuss recent matters involving conference expectations and responsibilities,” the SEC said in a statement. “Those discussions will continue as the conference and its member universities work toward an appropriate resolution.”
While the expulsion wasn’t formally put to a vote — requiring two-thirds of members to vote yes — Kiffin ultimately completed his roster on Tuesday with Wright and Harris left off.
In a letter to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Wednesday, LSU president Wade Rousse called the point “moot” as the school is in line with conference rules by not rostering them, according to the AP.
“The roster is now locked for the season,” Rousse said. “LSU complied with SEC rules. This issue is moot.”
Rousse did not participate in the full meeting on the advice of counsel due to pending litigation over the issue, ESPN reported.
The SEC has sued LSU in federal court, alleging the school had “waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes” despite league rules outlawing former NFLers.
A hearing scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed to a date to be determined.
It’s unclear if the lawsuit will move forward now that LSU has decided not to roster the pair.
The legal battle isn’t over either way, with an attorney for Wright and Harris telling ESPN that they are considering their legal options.
