Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Greg Sankey traveled to a courtroom near Louisiana State University (LSU) on Thursday to participate in a legal proceeding that could determine whether former professional athletes are allowed to play college sports this fall. Several dozen athletes, including former NFL and NBA players, are seeking a court ruling that would let them compete in college, even after they have signed professional contracts. The case involves attorneys from the athletes, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), and the SEC, who are set to appear before East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden. The judge previously issued a temporary order blocking the NCAA from barring athletes who left college for professional opportunities or fifth-year college players from eligibility. Among the athletes involved are Dae'Quan Wright, a former tight end with the Cleveland Browns; Zxavian Harris, a defensive lineman who played for the New Orleans Saints; and Blake Cotton, a defensive back who was with the Denver Broncos. These athletes are expected to join LSU’s football team under new coach Lane Kiffin. Wright, who played for Kiffin last season at the University of Mississippi, started practicing with LSU this week but missed the seven-day practice requirement needed to be eligible for LSU’s home opener against Clemson. Harris and Cotton also have ties to other college programs and are now committing to LSU. They, along with many other athletes, have filed lawsuits arguing they should be allowed to play a fifth year in college under new NCAA rules that permit five years of competition. The NCAA estimates there are around 450 athletes seeking additional eligibility through legal action, with about 300 of them currently allowed to play and 150 denied. The athletes who signed pro contracts argue they did so before the NCAA finalized rules that would have given them another year in college. Kiffin, LSU’s football coach, said he is not expecting any players from his program to attend the hearing, emphasizing that the legal issues involve athletes from multiple states and sports. “We’ll wait to get more information and more guidance from the SEC,” Kiffin said earlier this week. The SEC has submitted a legal document stating that the court should focus on whether the conference can enforce its own rules on member institutions. The proposed penalties for violating these rules include heavy fines, up to half-season suspensions for coaches, and the loss of voting rights for universities in SEC matters. Sankey, the SEC commissioner, submitted an affidavit stating that SEC university presidents unanimously supported the new rules, with LSU’s president abstaining. He emphasized that the SEC acted independently and did not collude with the NCAA to prevent Kiffin from recruiting former professional athletes. The dispute over athlete eligibility has been ongoing for months and has drawn political attention. Georgia’s attorney general, Chris Carr, reportedly supported Sankey’s efforts to penalize LSU if it adds former NFL players to its 2026 roster. He criticized the judge’s temporary order, suggesting it might be used to bypass SEC rules. Louisiana’s attorney general, Liz Murrill, also commented, stating that the NCAA’s changing rules have broader consequences, affecting universities, student-athletes, and coaches who must navigate increasingly complex regulations.