SEC adopts blanket ban on athletes with NFL, NBA or WNBA ties

The Southeastern Conference has unanimously adopted a new eligibility rule that forbids its member institutions from rostering athletes with any connection to the NFL, NBA or WNBA. Under the policy, players who have declared for a draft without later withdrawing, signed a professional contract, or taken the field for a pro team are ineligible for SEC competition. Greg Sankey, the conference commissioner, received full discretion to levy heavy penalties on schools that fail to comply.

The decision targets a legal loophole that allowed individuals such as former St. John’s standout RJ Luis Jr., who signed with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics and briefly practiced at LSU after a state court injunction, to re-enter college play. By drawing a clear line, the SEC seeks to preserve traditional amateur eligibility standards. The announcement also referenced broader debates about professional influence in college sports.