The legal battle between LSU football and the SEC took a different turn recently as LSU and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a formal motion to dismiss the Southeastern Conference’s federal lawsuit. However, the move prompted the SEC to publicly express disappointment when both sides were working toward a potential settlement.
According to a statement released late Friday, the SEC said it was “deeply disappointed” that LSU filed the motion to dismiss the federal lawsuit amid its efforts to reach a resolution.
“We are deeply disappointed that this filing came amid efforts to reach a resolution with LSU that would address our other member universities’ concerns about LSU’s commitment to the conference’s rules and shared governance responsibilities,” the statement read (h/t Daniel Hager of On3).
The dispute centers on roster construction and player eligibility rules. The SEC alleged that LSU and Kiffin had engaged in a deliberate effort to recruit former professional athletes, specifically former Ole Miss players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, both of whom had brief stints around NFL rosters.
Article Continues BelowHowever, Kiffin and LSU leadership later decided not to add the disputed players to the roster ahead of the team’s season opener. On Sept. 8, the SEC filed an amended complaint concerning Kiffin’s reported plans to add former NFL players to his roster.
SEC and LSU officials had reportedly been engaged in discussions throughout the week in an effort to find a resolution to the dispute.
Despite those ongoing settlement talks, LSU officials and Murrill proceeded with filing a formal motion to dismiss the lawsuit in federal court.
According to LSU, the federal court in Alabama lacks personal jurisdiction over Louisiana state officials and maintained that the SEC’s lawsuit fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
With the motion now filed, the dispute between LSU and the SEC remains unresolved, leaving the two sides to determine their next steps as the legal battle continues.