[M T]

This topic came up in a Women's Tennis thread here ("Alexis Blokhina is on the roster, and making her return to collegiate tennis after a brief stint as a pro"),
but I'm creating a different thread to not drift that thread any further.

The thread contained a reference to this news item regarding a pro FB player wanting to sign with LSU
SEC joins Big Ten in banning pros from returning to college, includes basketball players

The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against this month’s unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college.

But Kim Mulkey must have read the fine print.  No WNBA pros?  Ok, get them from other pro leagues.  She signed a Russian pro basketball player (6'5").  

That signing has resulted in fallout, resulting in 6'5" Ukranian Kate Koval leaving the team.
When I looked up Kate Koval, I found this from 3 years ago

Koval’s rising number of offer letters includes top programs like LSU, Notre Dame, Duke and Stanford, and she still has more official recruiting visits lined up.

[M T]

This topic came up in a Women's Tennis thread here ("Alexis Blokhina is on the roster, and making her return to collegiate tennis after a brief stint as a pro"),
but I'm creating a different thread to not drift that thread any further.

The thread contained a reference to this news item regarding a pro FB player wanting to sign with LSU
SEC joins Big Ten in banning pros from returning to college, includes basketball players

The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against this month’s unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college.

But Kim Mulkey must have read the fine print.  No WNBA pros?  Ok, get them from other pro leagues.  She signed a Russian pro basketball player (6'5").  

That signing has resulted in fallout, resulting in 6'5" Ukranian Kate Koval leaving the team.
When I looked up Kate Koval, I found this from 3 years ago

Koval’s rising number of offer letters includes top programs like LSU, Notre Dame, Duke and Stanford, and she still has more official recruiting visits lined up.

[M T]

An update today on the LSU situation
"SEC sues LSU, alleging a coordinated push to recruit ex-pro athletes in defiance of rules"

[M T]

An update today on the LSU situation
"SEC sues LSU, alleging a coordinated push to recruit ex-pro athletes in defiance of rules"

[BostonCard]

https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/lane..._permalink

Kiffin going to war with the NCAA.

BC

[BostonCard]

https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/lane..._permalink

Kiffin going to war with the NCAA.

BC

[cardcrimson]

And a judge in East Baton Rouge rules in favor of LSU and against the SEC and NCAA, paving the way for pro players to play in their game Saturday night. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill (an LSU grad) filed an amicus brief supporting LSU and the pro players. 

https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-eligibil...728599aa84

The end of college football . . . .

[cardcrimson]

And a judge in East Baton Rouge rules in favor of LSU and against the SEC and NCAA, paving the way for pro players to play in their game Saturday night. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill (an LSU grad) filed an amicus brief supporting LSU and the pro players. 

https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-eligibil...728599aa84

The end of college football . . . .

[cardcrimson]

And a judge in East Baton Rouge rules in favor of LSU and against the SEC and NCAA, paving the way for pro players to play in their game Saturday night. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill (an LSU grad) filed an amicus brief supporting LSU and the pro players. 

https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-eligibil...728599aa84

The end of college football . . . .

Starts off her remarks with "Geaux Tigers". . . .

https://x.com/TreyWallace/status/2095524786772292057

[cardcrimson]

And a judge in East Baton Rouge rules in favor of LSU and against the SEC and NCAA, paving the way for pro players to play in their game Saturday night. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill (an LSU grad) filed an amicus brief supporting LSU and the pro players. 

https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-eligibil...728599aa84

The end of college football . . . .

Starts off her remarks with "Geaux Tigers". . . .

https://x.com/TreyWallace/status/2095524786772292057

[BostonCard]

I understand the idea of local jurisdiction, but that seems like it is a mistake in this context.

BC

[BostonCard]

I understand the idea of local jurisdiction, but that seems like it is a mistake in this context.

BC

[cardcrimson]

The federal case will be in Birmingham, before a judge who graduated from the University of Alabama. Will be interesting to see, though local jurisdiction didn't help when Bama tried to get a G League player to play last season (while similar other players were allowed elsewhere). . . .

It's a mad world. . . .

[cardcrimson]

The federal case will be in Birmingham, before a judge who graduated from the University of Alabama. Will be interesting to see, though local jurisdiction didn't help when Bama tried to get a G League player to play last season (while similar other players were allowed elsewhere). . . .

It's a mad world. . . .

[BostonCard]

The federal case will be in Birmingham, before a judge who graduated from the University of Alabama. Will be interesting to see, though local jurisdiction didn't help when Bama tried to get a G League player to play last season (while similar other players were allowed elsewhere). . . .

It's a mad world. . . .

Might have been the one judge who graduated from Auburn…


BC

[BostonCard]

The federal case will be in Birmingham, before a judge who graduated from the University of Alabama. Will be interesting to see, though local jurisdiction didn't help when Bama tried to get a G League player to play last season (while similar other players were allowed elsewhere). . . .

It's a mad world. . . .

Might have been the one judge who graduated from Auburn…


BC

[Mick]

The athletes are accepting NIL payments. They're already pros. Now they're just arguing over price, as Mr. Churchill once said.

[Mick]

The athletes are accepting NIL payments. They're already pros. Now they're just arguing over price, as Mr. Churchill once said.

[bbm233]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

[bbm233]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

[cardcrimson]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

From Google AI:

Nick Townsend is a textbook example of this exact loophole. After completing a stellar four-year career at Yale, where he was named the 2026 Ivy League Player of the Year, he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026 NBA Summer League. Crucially, because he only participated in two Summer League games and did not sign an NBA contract, he preserved his remaining collegiate eligibility. Following his Summer League stint, Townsend took advantage of recent NCAA legal shifts that grant an extra year of eligibility to certain student-athletes. He entered the transfer portal and committed to play his fifth college season for the Stanford Cardinal. Because he is moving to the ACC—which permits Summer League play as long as no professional salary or prohibited representation agreements are signed—he is cleared to play college basketball

[cardcrimson]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

From Google AI:

Nick Townsend is a textbook example of this exact loophole. After completing a stellar four-year career at Yale, where he was named the 2026 Ivy League Player of the Year, he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026 NBA Summer League. Crucially, because he only participated in two Summer League games and did not sign an NBA contract, he preserved his remaining collegiate eligibility. Following his Summer League stint, Townsend took advantage of recent NCAA legal shifts that grant an extra year of eligibility to certain student-athletes. He entered the transfer portal and committed to play his fifth college season for the Stanford Cardinal. Because he is moving to the ACC—which permits Summer League play as long as no professional salary or prohibited representation agreements are signed—he is cleared to play college basketball

[burger]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

From Google AI:

Nick Townsend is a textbook example of this exact loophole. After completing a stellar four-year career at Yale, where he was named the 2026 Ivy League Player of the Year, he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026 NBA Summer League. Crucially, because he only participated in two Summer League games and did not sign an NBA contract, he preserved his remaining collegiate eligibility. Following his Summer League stint, Townsend took advantage of recent NCAA legal shifts that grant an extra year of eligibility to certain student-athletes. He entered the transfer portal and committed to play his fifth college season for the Stanford Cardinal. Because he is moving to the ACC—which permits Summer League play as long as no professional salary or prohibited representation agreements are signed—he is cleared to play college basketball

IIRC, there's no salary for the summer league--just a per diem to cover living expenses for a few days.

[burger]

The MBB team signed a "transfer," Nick Townsend, who played in the NBA summer league for the 76ers. I assume he got some compensation from the NBA team. So, pro or not?

Seems to me like Stanford is not shying away from this aspect of the changing college landscape.

From Google AI:

Nick Townsend is a textbook example of this exact loophole. After completing a stellar four-year career at Yale, where he was named the 2026 Ivy League Player of the Year, he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026 NBA Summer League. Crucially, because he only participated in two Summer League games and did not sign an NBA contract, he preserved his remaining collegiate eligibility. Following his Summer League stint, Townsend took advantage of recent NCAA legal shifts that grant an extra year of eligibility to certain student-athletes. He entered the transfer portal and committed to play his fifth college season for the Stanford Cardinal. Because he is moving to the ACC—which permits Summer League play as long as no professional salary or prohibited representation agreements are signed—he is cleared to play college basketball

IIRC, there's no salary for the summer league--just a per diem to cover living expenses for a few days.

[newguy]

ESPN is reporting that the SEC has just filed an amendment requesting the authority to expel LSU from the conference.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...conference

[newguy]

ESPN is reporting that the SEC has just filed an amendment requesting the authority to expel LSU from the conference.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...conference

[martyup]

ESPN is reporting that the SEC has just filed an amendment requesting the authority to expel LSU from the conference.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...conference

[martyup]

ESPN is reporting that the SEC has just filed an amendment requesting the authority to expel LSU from the conference.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...conference

[BostonCard]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

[BostonCard]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

[Ratmandoo]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

[Ratmandoo]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

[old spanish trail]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

Good one, Rat. Welcome back.

[old spanish trail]

Now what are the chances that if the SEC votes to expel LSU from the league that LSU won’t just sue:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...661616007/

We live in a society sadly where nobody wants rules.

BC

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

Good one, Rat. Welcome back.

[cardcrimson]

LSU blinked. Hope the two former pros sue the crap out of them. And that the SEC fines LSU and suspends Kiffin. What a farce and a total disgrace.

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/20974963..._&ref_url=

[cardcrimson]

LSU blinked. Hope the two former pros sue the crap out of them. And that the SEC fines LSU and suspends Kiffin. What a farce and a total disgrace.

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/20974963..._&ref_url=

[BostonCard]

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

Suggestion accepted.

BC

[BostonCard]

I disagree. Everyone wants rules. They just want the rules to apply to everyone but them.

Suggestion accepted.

BC

[Goose]

LSU blinked. Hope the two former pros sue the crap out of them. And that the SEC fines LSU and suspends Kiffin. What a farce and a total disgrace.

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/20974963..._&ref_url=

I am still hoping for expulsion. That would give one hope that there is a level of behavior that even the SEC can't tolerate. Up to now, there has been no evidence that limitation exists. Just because LSU blinked that doesn't change who they are and what they are willing to do in order to "win". Force is the only thing that constrains them because they apparently have no principles that will. Nobody wants to associate with an organization that behaves that way.

[Goose]

LSU blinked. Hope the two former pros sue the crap out of them. And that the SEC fines LSU and suspends Kiffin. What a farce and a total disgrace.

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/20974963..._&ref_url=

I am still hoping for expulsion. That would give one hope that there is a level of behavior that even the SEC can't tolerate. Up to now, there has been no evidence that limitation exists. Just because LSU blinked that doesn't change who they are and what they are willing to do in order to "win". Force is the only thing that constrains them because they apparently have no principles that will. Nobody wants to associate with an organization that behaves that way.