Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Louisiana State University officials are seeking to get the Southeastern Conference’s federal lawsuit against LSU dismissed after a saga involving player eligibility.
The SEC filed a lawsuit against Louisiana State University, head football coach Lane Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry over what the conference calls the deliberate recruitment of pro football athletes.
According to a new court filing in Alabama on Friday, Murrill, along with LSU President Wade Rousse and other LSU stakeholders, filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing no controversy or damages as part of the reasons to dismiss.
This comes after LSU coach Lane Kiffin completed the football roster without players who had returned to college football to exercise their fifth-year option after going professional.
Murrill issued the following statement, saying she had to step in since de-escalation tactics between LSU and the SEC had stalled in recent weeks:
“While I appreciate attempts by both sides to de-escalate, the SEC has not moved to end the federal lawsuit against LSU or me, as attorney general. It is therefore appropriate for me to act in the sovereign interests of the state of Louisiana and move for its dismissal. The case is improper and moot,” Murrill said.
This comes after a nearly two-hour videoconference between LSU and the SEC ended with no resolution earlier this month.
The Southeastern Conference issued the following statement on the motion:
“The Southeastern Conference is aware of the motion filed Friday by LSU Officials and Louisiana Attorney General seeking dismissal of the conference’s federal lawsuit.
We are deeply disappointed that this filing came amid efforts to reach a resolution with LSU that would address our other member universities’ concerns about LSU’s commitment to the conference’s rules and shared governance responsibilities.
Those concerns remain unresolved. The conference is preparing its response in court and will uphold the standard agreed upon by its member universities and the responsibilities of conference membership.”
Sources previously told WDSU that LSU President Wade Rousse and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have been in contact, working to de-escalate the situation and reach some sort of common ground.
Sources indicate to WDSU that a vote to terminate LSU as an SEC member is no longer on the table.
Paul Finebaum told reporters Wednesday that Kiffin was “on the brink of being expelled” before the team roster was finalized, adding: “He saved his program for now.”
The Tigers’ athletics department could still face potential penalties tied to the back-and-forth over player eligibility.
SEC presidents “are deadly serious” and “angry” at Lane Kiffin and LSU, Paul Finebaum said.
READ MORE:Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, LSU officials ask court to dismiss SEC lawsuit. Here’s why
