CFP Releases Statement Amid LSU’s Battle With SEC Over Former Pro Players

The College Football Playoff weighed in on the ongoing battle over former professional athletes returning to college football on Friday, issuing a statement supporting conference rules that prohibit those players from returning.

The statement comes one day after a Louisiana judge granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the SEC and NCAA from punishing schools for adding players with previous professional ties, clearing a path for Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to join LSU’s roster.

CFP leaders did not announce any new eligibility or participation rules for the playoff on Friday, but made it clear that they support the conferences’ positions on the issue.

Here’s the full statement from the College Football Playoff:

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“The CFP strongly supports the positions and rules of individual conferences concerning the return to college of athletes with professional draft, contract or roster ties. These conference rules are intended to protect the needs, interests and integrity of the sport.

“The CFP believes that certain clear rules should be followed so that individual institutions fielding FBS football teams know what will be expected of them, and so that the public can have full confidence in the competitive integrity of the sport.

“Given the ongoing legal proceedings, we will not have further comments on the matter at this time.”

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