SEC announces stiff penalties for teams that sign professional players

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As teams both in and outside the league attempt to add fifth-year players who previously signed NFL contracts, the SEC is taking a stand.

The conference followed the Big Ten's lead on Tuesday night by passing a rule that prevents teams from adding players who have previously signed professional contracts. Now we know the SEC is set to dole out severe punishments to teams that violate that rule.

According to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, the SEC has finalized punishments for schools that sign such players. The sanctions include a half-season suspension for head coaches, a fine of 50% of the sport's annual operating budget and the revocation of voting privileges in SEC business matters.

The league and commissioner Greg Sankey also retain the right to levy further punishment on a case-by-case basis.

According to Norlander, the SEC is confident its rule will survive legal scrutiny, given the scope of a conference compared to the NCAA and the fact that the punishments would target schools and coaches rather than individual athletes.

It remains to be seen if these disciplinary measures will survive the likely legal challenge that's coming — LSU has reportedly attempted to add three players who had previously signed NFL contracts — but it's clear that the SEC is going to do everything in its power to prevent such players from seeing the field this fall.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: SEC announces stiff penalties for teams that sign professional players

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