LSU Fans Send Clear Message to Greg Sankey After Trying to Ban School From SEC

LSU football fans sent a clear message to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey after attempting to add two former NFL players to their roster for the 2026 season. Dae Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who previously played for Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin, both had recent stints in NFL training camps and preseason. Adding professional athletes to a college roster violated NCAA and SEC regulations, but a Louisiana court granted an injunction enabling the move.

The SEC subsequently threatened to ban LSU, which prompted the university to abandon the plan. Despite this, LSU Tigers fans have been vocal about the controversy, directing their anger primarily at Sankey, who initiated the threat. On the day before LSU's home game against Louisiana Tech, a billboard promoting "Fire Sankey" appeared in Birmingham, Alabama.

This incident is not the first time Sankey has faced criticism; he played a pivotal role in expanding the NCAA basketball tournament from 68 to 76 teams, a decision that critics say favors bigger conferences like the SEC. In football, he opposed expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, clashing with other conferences such as the Big Ten.

The ongoing saga at LSU demonstrates that Sankey is not hesitant to convey a strong stance, even if it angers fan bases. LSU fans are accustomed to expressing their opinions, with Death Valley Stadium being a testament to the intensity of their support. A coach's losing streak often prompts calls for his resignation, adding pressure on Kiffin to secure a national title in his first year at LSU.