Two Power Four conferences announced Tuesday bans that will prohibit professional athletes from returning to the collegiate ranks, with the Big Ten followed closely by the Southeastern Conference, and the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference appearing to be next in line.
As reported by CBS Sports, Big Ten athletics directors and faculty athletics representatives voted unanimously to levy significant penalties for member schools that allow former NFL players to pursue a fifth year of eligibility within their league. Sources tell CBS Sports the punishment is modeled on the NCAA's ghost transfer rule. That rule bans coaches from 50% of games and carries a financial penalty on the school equal to 20% of its football budget.
"The Big Ten made it clear that its ban includes players who signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster, or declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing," Brandon Marcello and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports wrote. "Previously, under the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Policy, standard disciplinary measures gave the Big Ten's commissioner the leeway to levy immediate five-figure fines or hand down suspensions on his own authority, while major escalations — including extended sideline bans or institutional sanctions — required only the executive committee's rubber stamp."
The SEC announced its new policy after a meeting of presidents, chancellors and athletics directors at the conference's headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. LSU was considering adding two former NFL players to its roster, but sources told John Talty of CBS Sports the vote, like the Big Ten's, was unanimous. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will have wide-ranging powers to determine punishments for violating the new policy.
The SEC immediately posted to social media the following language that transcends football to include men's and women's basketball: An SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has: 1) previously declared for the NFL, NBA or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw; 2) signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or 3) been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League or WNBA (or affiliate) roster. The commissioner is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions.
The Big 12 is mulling a similar ban, and the ACC is set to meet today to discuss the subject, sources told CBS Sports.
"Lawsuits could follow from players — and potentially schools — seeking to circumvent these rules, though it appears unlikely to have much impact, at least within the Big Ten, at this point, given the unanimous approval among the 18 schools," Marcello and Zenitz wrote.
Several head coaches told CBS Sports they would like to see further punishment, including game forfeitures, if teams play a former professional athlete.
