Supreme Court Rules Against Ed Orgeron, Overturning Lower Court Divorce Rulings

The long and winding story of Ed Orgeron's divorce trial may finally be over. The former LSU National Champion Head Football Coach was handed a loss by the Louisiana Supreme Court, overturning lower court rulings.

Orgeron's Massive LSU Contract

At the heart of this divorce trial was Orgeron's contract extension that was signed after he led LSU to the National Championship in 2020. After Orgeron's team completed one of the best seasons in college football history, the university extended a groundbreaking contract to him; a 6-year extension worth roughly $42 million. The contract contained language that would pay Orgeron 70% of the remainder if he was ever terminated from the agreement "without cause".

The contract also included a "buyout", which would allow either side to end the agreement early without having to pay the full remaining contract. Which is exactly what LSU decided to do in 2021, when they came to an agreement with Orgeron to buy out his remaining years for $16.949 million.

Does Kelly Orgeron Deserve Part of Ed Orgeron's Contract?

That contract was at the center of a divorce trial filed by Orgeron's ex-wife Kelly. Because the contract extension was signed just after the National Championship win, and 43 days after that contract was executed, Orgeron filed for divorce. Meaning the two were still fully married at the time the contract was signed.

Kelly Orgeron argued that entitled her to a portion of the contract, or contract buyout, as a part of their divorce. Her legal team argued that she had to sacrifice her own career ambitions during their marriage to support relocation for coaching, and the emotional support that was provided while Ed Orgeron was coaching.

The career sacrifice and emotional support weren't being argued against by Ed Orgeron's team. The lawyers fought between whether the massive contract extension that Ed Orgeron was given was based on prior achievements, or future work. Kelly Orgeron's team argued it was based on the success of the team while they were married, while Ed Orgeron's team argued it was fully based on future work.

Supreme Court Hears Ed Orgeron Divorce Case

The Louisiana State Supreme Court took up the case after a trail court, and appeals court, both ruled in favor of Ed Orgeron. When the Supreme Court took up the case, multiple Justices had to recuse themselves from the case, due to their personal relationships with Ed Orgeron, or their fandom of LSU. Three ad hoc judges were brought in to hear the case.

The Court Rules In Favor of Kelly Orgeron

After hearing arguments, and deliberating on the case, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court rulings, and found that Kelly Orgeron is entitled to $8.13 million of the LSU buyout. The court stated that the legally binding agreement Ed Orgeron signed with LSU for the contract extension was signed with the pair were still married, and that agreement included buyout terms.

However this may not end the legal fight. NOLA.com reports that attorney Randy Smith, who represents Ed Orgeron, said they will be asking for the full Louisiana Supreme Court to rehear the case. Smith maintains his argument that the 2020 contract extension was in no way compensation for past success, and was totally based in future work.