EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSEC schools that bring back NFL, NBA or WNBA players to their programs will face steep discipline under a new policy unanimously approved by the conference's 16 members, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.The penalties include a half-season suspension for a coach, a fine that matches 50% of the sport's annual budget, and revocation of league voting rights, sources confirmed.The SEC's member schools also gave commissioner Greg Sankey the authority to impose additional sanctions as needed, according to sources.Sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the SEC's chancellors and presidents voted 15-0 to confirm the penalties, with LSU abstaining from voting. The vote to approve the new policy banning pro athletes from returning to the SEC was approved by a 16-0 vote.ACC athletic directors met Wednesday, and there's momentum for the ACC to join the SEC and Big Ten in banning players from returning from the NFL, sources told ESPN. The ACC would still need to pass a few more steps, including board approval.But sources indicated that there's momentum that the ACC will join the SEC and Big Ten. The goal is for the ACC board to meet and vote in the next 24 hours, according to sources.The SEC joined the Big Ten on Tuesday in its unanimous opposition to athletes leaving the NFL and returning to college teams, swiftly passing a new conference rule that gives Sankey full authority to enforce it "with penalties."During an in-person meeting with league presidents, chancellors and athletic directors, the SEC took it even further than the Big Ten, prohibiting anyone who has previously declared for professional basketball from rejoining college athletics without appropriately withdrawing.With a step-by-step explanation, the SEC announced its institutions are "not permitted" to have an athlete on its roster who has:1. Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw.2. Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team.3. Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.The announcement stated Sankey "is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions." An SEC spokesperson later told ESPN that penalties are "to be announced."The flurry of activity from the SEC came after former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright cleared waivers with the Cleveland Browns so he can return to college and play for LSU Tigers in what would be his fifth season of college eligibility. Wright's highly publicized situation is unprecedented, but it stood to become part of a trend this year because of an ongoing legal fight between the NCAA and athletes who are pursuing a fifth year.Wright dressed for the Browns' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday but didn't play. He was waived Monday and went unclaimed by Tuesday's deadline. He is currently available in the NCAA transfer portal after a judge in Louisiana granted him a temporary restraining order and an opportunity to return to college for a fifth year.Another athlete, star basketball player RJ Luis Jr., received a temporary injunction to play for LSU this season from a Louisiana judge Monday, despite signing multiple NBA contracts.School officials at LSU did not immediately return requests for comment. It's unclear if LSU football coach Lane Kiffin and men's basketball coach Will Wade will continue to pursue these players in violation of the new conference rules, if they will let the courts decide or if they will part ways in compliance with the conference.Ryan Downton, a Texas-based attorney who represents Wright and other clients impacted by the Louisiana court ruling, criticized the SEC's new policy."The SEC's actions put the NCAA in contempt of multiple court orders," Downton said in a statement. "It is cartel-like conduct when NCAA conferences attempt to create their own spur of the moment rules in response to Courts enjoining those same rules at the NCAA level."ESPN's Heather Dinich contributed to this report.
