Selective enforcement of the rules would hurt the SEC more than LSU being independent

Selective enforcement could seriously damage the SEC's request for an injunction

This is where it gets interesting.

The SEC isn't primarily asking for money. It is asking for equitable relief — declaratory and injunctive relief. The Eleventh Circuit requires a party seeking a preliminary injunction to establish likelihood of success, irreparable harm, favorable balance of harms, and the public interest.

And look at what the SEC itself says in this complaint:

It argues that “consistent application” of these professionalism rules is necessary so athletes and coaches can rely on the rules, and that competitive fairness depends on all SEC schools being governed by the same foundational rules.

That gives LSU a potentially excellent cross-examination point if LSU can prove:

“You say inconsistent application irreparably harms the SEC. Yet you knowingly allowed School X to do exactly what you're suing LSU for.”

That could hurt the SEC on several fronts — particularly its claimed irreparable injury, the sincerity of its alleged expressive interest, and potentially equitable defenses such as waiver, estoppel, or unclean hands. The Supreme Court has recognized that serious inequitable conduct related to the controversy can justify denying equitable relief under the clean-hands doctrine.


This is all from AI after analyzing the lawsuit.