SEC cited media story as proof that LSU/Lane instigated the players suits, nothing direct

quote:

---

The accusation appears most clearly in Paragraph 48(c) of the SEC’s original federal complaint. There, the conference says CBS Sports reported that LSU and Kiffin “reached out to multiple players on NFL rosters or their representation” with the purpose of getting them to pursue litigation that could permit them to return to college.

The SEC’s source for that assertion is an August 25 CBS Sports story written by John Talty and Chris Hummer . Their report, citing unnamed sources, said LSU contacted NFL players or their representatives in an effort to have them challenge the NCAA in court.

That may be excellent reporting. Anonymous sourcing is sometimes necessary, particularly when people with direct knowledge face professional consequences for speaking publicly. Tiger Rag uses unnamed sources when the information is important, independently verified and unavailable through attributable channels.

But a news report and proof filed in federal court are not the same thing.

The complaint does not say who at LSU allegedly contacted which player, when the contact occurred, what was said or who authorized it.

The exhibits attached to the original complaint are the SEC’s governing documents and its professionalism policy. Those materials may establish what rules LSU agreed to follow. They do not establish that LSU organized or financed litigation against those rules.

The SEC alleges a coordinated institutional campaign while largely grouping LSU President Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry and Kiffin together as “Defendants.” Yet the complaint identifies no specific action by Rousse or Ausberry showing that either man helped initiate the players’ lawsuit.

That is not proof of an orchestrated institutional campaign. At this stage, it is an accusation resting on a published report.

---