Will the SEC kick out LSU?

September 8, 2026 -

On Tuesday, the SEC filed an amendment complaint against LSU regarding the school's potential plans to add former NFL players to its roster.

SEC has scheduled a meeting of its presidents and chancellors on Thursday to decide whether to terminate LSU as an SEC member institution.

The Tigers have definitely cross a line, but can the SEC really kick out LSU?

Pursuant to Section 3.1.5 of the SEC Constitution and Bylaws, the SEC presidents have the "plenary power and authority with respect to all affairs of the Conference of any type or nature whatsoever.” It includes the power to take all actions specified and contemplated in Article 3 [of the Constitution] in their sole discretion.”

"Today's filing is necessary to defend that right and preserve the Conference's ability to govern competition among its members,” the SEC said in a statement.

"The SEC and its member universities have the right to establish, through agreed-upon governance procedures, the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed,” continued the statement. “A commitment to those rules, and to the core principles of the Southeastern Conference, is an essential element of SEC membership.”

The SEC complaint also alleges LSU head coach Lane Kiffin. made public statements on the SEC's professionalism rules. Kiffin's statements "stand in sharp contrast to the silence by the President and Athletic Director of LSU" and that "they confirm the lack of institutional control over the athletics program at LSU that is required by Article 6 of the SEC Constitution and by the remaining provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.”

What about the vote to take action against LSU?

If the SEC passes this by-law amendment and decide to take a action against LSU, the conference could basically put LSU on trial, using their existing enforcement protocols. It could result in no action, or issue penalties such as suspensions, probation, fines and even expulsion. A vote of at least two-thirds of all the presidents is required to terminate a school's membership.

BOTTOM LINE:

SEC commissioner Ed Sankey means business. This is not going away. CaneReports will monitor the situation.

GO CANES!