Why LSU football and Lane Kiffin canceled the spring game in 2026

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Why LSU football and Lane Kiffin canceled the spring game in 2026

Why LSU football and Lane Kiffin canceled the spring game in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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More college football teams are canceling spring games, especially in the NIL era. One of those programs ditching the traditional event is the LSU Tigers. 

When Lane Kiffin made the transition from Ole Miss, he carried over not holding the exhibition. Here are a few reasons why the juice is not worth the squeeze anymore. The top ones are player safety and privacy for what's happening inside a program.

“I just stopped the spring game a few years ago,” Kiffin said via LSU Wire. “It was on TV, and you’re giving that, because there was another portal coming up, so you were basically giving people evaluations of your players, especially your newer ones and how they’re doing. And then it became that, on top of the financial piece of how much you’re investing in [players] now, and how significant injuries are, and looking at the big picture of that, I just feel like it’s not worth it.”

While some might disagree, the need to protect high-priced assets is a must for LSU. After reportedly spending over $40 million on this year's football roster, the need for unnecessary injuries should be the biggest concern.

More: Brian Kelly wants to stay in college football after LSU firing

Also, what Kiffin said about roster poaching is absolutely true across the nation. Putting players, who rarely receives playing time or are a true freshman, on display for other programs isn't smart in the NIL era.

For now, Kiffin and the Tigers will look forward to the season opener with Clemson on Sept. 5.

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