EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA meeting of SEC presidents and chancellors on Thursday ended without any punishment imposed on LSU.The conference issued a statement following the highly anticipated meeting, which court records had indicated would "decide whether to terminate Louisiana State University." According to the statement, the videoconference was meant "to discuss recent matters involving conference expectations and responsibilities.""Those discussions will continue as the conference and its member universities work toward an appropriate resolution," the statement read.The threat of expulsion against LSU had subsided in recent days as the football program backed off its desire to add former NFL rookies Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its roster. In a letter to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Wednesday, school president Wade Rousse said the Tigers complied with conference rules by not rostering former pros, calling the issue "moot."Rousse joined the SEC presidents and chancellors call Thursday, but only briefly, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. He explained to the participants that in light of the pending federal litigation, of which he and LSU are named defendants, that he was advised by counsel not to participate.SEC rules require at least two-thirds of all the presidents to terminate a school's membership.The call of SEC presidents and chancellors came a day after a federal court showdown between the conference and LSU was postponed to a date to be determined. The SEC sued LSU in U.S. District Court in Alabama last week, alleging the university is violating the league's First Amendment right of expressive association by ignoring conference rules that prohibit signing and playing former NFL players.Separately, a Louisiana judge had ordered Wright and Harris cleared to return for their fifth year of college and transfer to LSU despite signing with NFL teams earlier this year as undrafted free agents.Attorney Ryan Downton, who represents the two players, told ESPN on Tuesday that they are considering their legal options.
