The Big 12 has fined UCF $100,000 following discriminatory chants directed at BYU during Saturday’s game in Orlando, while also announcing a new conference-wide policy that could eventually result in in-game penalties for similar incidents.
The conference announced the punishment on Wednesday following a review of what it described as “discriminatory chants” during UCF’s 39-31 double-overtime win over BYU.
The $100,000 fine will be directed toward student education initiatives.
The Big 12 also announced a new escalating punishment structure. A first confirmed incident will result in a minimum $100,000 fine, followed by a formal warning giving the school an opportunity to address the behavior.
If a second confirmed incident occurs during the same game, the conference can assess an in-game competitive penalty, including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball. Schools could also face an additional $500,000 fine.
Fans ejected for discriminatory conduct will be banned from athletic events for the remainder of the academic year.
However, there has already been some pushback over UCF receiving such a significant fine despite the school’s efforts to stop the chants.
A Look from UCF’s Perspective
UCF reporter Brandon Helwig, who was at the game, said the incident involved “a couple dozen drunk students” who briefly participated in the chant and that UCF had staff members actively looking to identify and eject those responsible.
Helwig also shared video showing an announcement being made inside the stadium warning fans about inappropriate chants.
“UCF did everything possible to combat this,” Helwig wrote on X.
He added that the public-address announcement was made at least five times and argued that UCF’s handling of the situation should serve as the model for how schools respond rather than resulting in a six-figure fine.
The Big 12 itself acknowledged UCF’s response in its statement, noting the school’s “pregame protocols” and “immediate actions taken during the game,” including removing some of the individuals responsible.
That creates an interesting question following Wednesday’s announcement: If a school takes extensive precautions, repeatedly warns fans and removes those responsible, how much responsibility should the school ultimately bear for the actions of a small group of fans?
The Big 12 has now answered that question, at least financially.
Going forward, schools will be held responsible — and potentially even penalized on the field — when discriminatory chants occur at Big 12 athletic events.
