LSU football coach Lane Kiffin relied on ChatGPT for legal advice during a high-stakes roster dispute with the Southeastern Conference, according to sports attorney Tom Mars, who spoke to ESPN. Kiffin texted screenshots of AI-generated responses to Mars in an attempt to counter legal pushback regarding the eligibility of two former players.
The Roster Dispute and SEC Legal Battle
According to ESPN and Business Insider reporting, the legal clash centered on Kiffin’s push to roster Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris for the 2026 season. Both players previously suited up under Kiffin at Ole Miss before turning professional. Following Kiffin’s departure to Baton Rouge on a seven-year, $91 million contract, LSU sought to add the pair to the inaugural roster.
The SEC fought the move, attempting to secure a court ruling that would allow conference leaders to evaluate LSU’s standing. According to Business Insider, the dispute escalated until university presidents, state attorneys general, governors, and members of Congress were drawn into the fray. While Wright and Harris ultimately secured a preliminary injunction in Louisiana state court, LSU later backed down and finalized a roster excluding both players, according to Business Insider.
ChatGPT as Unconventional Counsel
As the legal pressure mounted, Kiffin consulted Mars, a prominent trial attorney. According to ESPN, Kiffin repeatedly sent screenshots of ChatGPT rebuttals when Mars advised him to alter his approach. “Usually, when I would express an opinion about what LSU was doing, Lane would reply with a screenshot from ChatGPT that supported LSU’s position, which was almost always wrong,” Mars told ESPN.
Mars recounted telling the coach that someone with a $91 million contract should retain top-tier legal representation rather than relying on an AI chatbot. According to Business Insider, OpenAI’s terms explicitly state that ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional advice. Legal liability regarding inaccurate AI-generated counsel remains an unsettled area, with OpenAI currently facing a federal lawsuit in Illinois from Nippon Life Insurance Company over disputed disability claim advice.
Aftermath and Outlook
Despite ignoring much of his friend’s counsel during the dispute, Kiffin is unlikely to seek automated legal opinions moving forward, according to Mars. Representatives for Kiffin, Mars, and OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment, and LSU declined to comment on the matter.
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