The SEC’s expulsion threat is legally possible, but practically laughable

The SEC technically has the authority to consider removing LSU. Its bylaws allow membership to be terminated with a two thirds vote, which would require at least 11 of the 16 presidents and chancellors.

But this feels almost entirely like theatrics by the SEC.

They are not seriously preparing to kick LSU out. They are putting the biggest possible threat on the table so they can argue in federal court that the conference, not a Louisiana judge, has the final authority to govern its members.

The SEC’s argument is that LSU voluntarily agreed to follow conference rules and cannot force the other schools to compete against players the SEC considers professionals. It is even making a First Amendment “freedom of association” argument.

That is not completely frivolous, but it feels extremely forced here.

LSU did not secretly play ineligible players. A Louisiana judge cleared the players to return and blocked the SEC from punishing LSU for using them. LSU still left them off the roster against Clemson.

Now that the SEC’s normal penalties have been blocked, it is threatening the nuclear option. That looks a lot like an attempt to work around the Louisiana court’s ruling.

Actually expelling LSU would also be beyond idiotic financially.

According to LSU’s FY2025 financial reports:

LSU athletics generated between $199 million and $223 million, depending on the accounting report
LSU football generated approximately $112 million


LSU reportedly averaged around 6.4 million viewers for its rated games in 2025, sixth nationally

The SEC distributed approximately $1.03 billion to its schools last year. That money depends on television inventory, major matchups, postseason success and fan interest. LSU is one of the brands helping create that value.

You do not remove LSU and simply replace it with another school. The SEC would lose a founding member, a massive fan base, a national television draw and valuable matchups against Bama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and A&M.

It would also invite years of litigation over media rights, conference distributions, scheduling and whether LSU was expelled for following a court order.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten or Big 12 would probably answer LSU’s call immediately. Handing another conference LSU’s brand, Louisiana recruiting and the Baton Rouge/New Orleans market would be an unbelievable act of self destruction.

Moving forward, LSU appears to be in a solid position as long as it follows the court orders and acts carefully. I cannot imagine 11 university presidents voting to remove LSU over two players who have not appeared in a game.

This is the SEC putting on a show for the federal court after getting slapped down in Louisiana. The threat is technically available, but actually following through would be one of the dumbest financial decisions in college athletics history.