# Lane Kiffin asked ChatGPT for legal advice, friend says

> LSU's football coach relied on an AI chatbot during a crisis that threatened the university's conference membership and TV rights.
- Title: Lane Kiffin asked ChatGPT for legal advice, friend says
- Summary: LSU's football coach relied on an AI chatbot during a crisis that threatened the university's conference membership and TV rights. LSU coach Lane Kiffin used…
- Keywords: lane kiffin, lsu football, chatgpt, tom mars, legal advice, sec, college football, business, technology, Lane, Kiffin, asked
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/lane-kiffin-chatgpt-for-legal-advice-2026-9
- Author: Brent D. Griffiths
- Published: 2026-09-19T09:17:01.283+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lane kiffin, lsu football, chatgpt, tom mars, legal advice, sec, college football, business, technology
## Kiffin's friend reveals ChatGPT use
Sports lawyer Tom Mars says LSU coach Lane Kiffin used ChatGPT for legal advice. When Mars expressed opinions about LSU's actions, Kiffin would reply with ChatGPT screenshots supporting LSU's position, which Mars said were almost always wrong.

> 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.
## LSU fights to add former NFL players
LSU initially fought to add former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to Kiffin's inaugural squad. Both had played under Kiffin at Ole Miss and signed with NFL teams after going undrafted. The move angered the SEC, NCAA, and many commentators.
## Kiffin hired with massive contract
In November, LSU announced it had hired Kiffin away from Ole Miss with a seven-year, ninety-one million dollar deal. The move came during the Rebels' College Football Playoff run, drawing criticism from rivals and the SEC.
## SEC threatens to remove LSU
The dispute escalated when the SEC went to court to secure a ruling allowing conference leaders to meet and consider LSU's status. If LSU were kicked out, the university would lose lucrative conference TV rights payments. University presidents, state attorneys general, governors, and members of Congress became involved.
## Mars warns Kiffin about stakes
Mars told Kiffin the stakes were too high to rely on an AI chatbot. He said a coach with a ninety-one million dollar contract should have a top-notch lawyer on speed dial, not use ChatGPT for legal advice.

> Eventually I told him that a guy with a $91 million contract ought to have a top-notch lawyer on speed dial and not be using ChatGPT for legal advice.
## LSU backs down, Kiffin seeks real counsel
Wright and Harris prevailed in state court, but LSU ultimately backed down and announced a final twenty twenty-six roster without either player. Mars said Kiffin reached out to him afterward, suggesting the coach will no longer rely on ChatGPT for legal advice.

> Lane ignored most of my unsolicited advice, but I don't think he'll be using ChatGPT anymore for legal advice.
## Key takeaway

LSU coach Lane Kiffin used ChatGPT for legal advice during a dispute over adding former NFL players to his roster, according to sports lawyer Tom Mars.