SEC Cracks Down on Signing Ex-Pro Players with Severe Penalties

The SEC has finalized harsh penalties for any program that signs a former NFL/NBA/WNBA player in violation of its new rule, including a half-season head-coach suspension, loss of SEC voting rights, and a fine equal to 50% of the sport’s annual operating budget, with room for additional penalties. The rule follows related court rulings and mirrors a Big Ten ban, while other conferences ponder similar policies; expect further challenges and tests of the rule’s boundaries from coaches and programs.