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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 25, 2026Miami-Dade

SEC and Big Ten ban professional athletes from returning to college rosters

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten have implemented new rules prohibiting athletes who have been drafted by or listed on professional NFL, NBA, or WNBA rosters from returning to play college sports. This action follows a series of court rulings that had previously allowed players released from professional teams to regain college eligibility.

college sportsNCAASECBig Teneligibility rulesprofessional sports
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Why It Matters

This policy change restricts the eligibility of student-athletes who have pursued professional careers, directly impacting roster compositions for major college programs and the career paths of athletes seeking to return to university play.

Key Facts

  • The SEC rule bans any player drafted by or listed on an NFL, NBA, or WNBA roster from returning to college.
  • The Big Ten rule is limited to football players, whereas the SEC rule applies to all sports including basketball.
  • Big Ten violations carry a penalty of a half-season suspension for the head coach and a fine for the school.
  • The SEC has not yet announced specific penalties for violating its new rule.
  • The rule change is a direct response to recent court orders that allowed players released from pro rosters to return to college.
  • The NCAA previously passed a rule in June granting five years of eligibility but did not include the Class of 2022.
  • Hundreds of players from the Class of 2022 are currently litigating for a fifth year of eligibility to pursue educational and NIL opportunities.
  • The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is scheduled to discuss similar measures.

Who's Mentioned

organizationBig Ten“Conference that passed a similar ban on pro players”personSean McVay“Los Angeles Rams coach”organizationNCAA“Governing body for college sports”personDae’Quan Wright“Player affected by the rule”personZxavian Harris“Player affected by the rule”personLane Kiffin“LSU coach”organizationLSU“University program affected by the new rules”personWill Wade“LSU basketball coach”personR.J. Luis“Basketball player who won a court ruling regarding eligibility”organizationSoutheastern Conference“Conference that passed the ban on pro players”